Des Moines vs Laredo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Des Moines
Laredo
The Verdict
Laredo is 8.5% less expensive than Des Moines overall. A household earning $75,000 in Des Moines would need approximately $69,101 in Laredo to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Des Moines has the same purchasing power as $69,101 in Laredo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Laredo equals $81,402 in Des Moines.
Living in Des Moines vs Laredo
Housing Costs
Des Moines's housing index of 74 is lower Laredo's 81, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $190,000. The $20,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,296 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Des Moines compared to $1,075/mo in Laredo, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Des Moines and 91 in Laredo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Des Moines vs $432/month in Laredo. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Des Moines and 107 in Laredo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Des Moines vs $428 in Laredo. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Des Moines and 77 in Laredo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,958 in Des Moines and $63,900 in Laredo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,874 and $77,927 respectively. Laredo residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,306/month to housing in Des Moines vs $1,491/month in Laredo. In Des Moines, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Laredo, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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