Fayetteville vs Laredo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fayetteville
Laredo
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 1.2%, with Fayetteville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to $75,926 in Laredo.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has the same purchasing power as $75,926 in Laredo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Laredo equals $74,085 in Fayetteville.
Living in Fayetteville vs Laredo
Housing Costs
Fayetteville's housing index of 52 is lower Laredo's 81, translating to median home prices of $213,000 vs $190,000. The $23,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,500 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Fayetteville compared to $1,075/mo in Laredo, a monthly difference of $0.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 94 in Fayetteville and 91 in Laredo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Fayetteville 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 98 in Fayetteville and 107 in Laredo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $428 in Laredo. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Fayetteville and 77 in Laredo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 29-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $49,800 in Fayetteville and $63,900 in Laredo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,481 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 $1,162/month to housing in Fayetteville vs $1,491/month in Laredo. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,075/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 Housing, where the gap is 29 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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