Irving vs Laredo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Irving
Laredo
The Verdict
Laredo is 22.0% less expensive than Irving overall. A household earning $75,000 in Irving would need approximately $61,500 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 Irving has the same purchasing power as $61,500 in Laredo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Laredo equals $91,463 in Irving.
Living in Irving vs Laredo
Housing Costs
Irving's housing index of 94 is higher Laredo's 81, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $190,000. The $128,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,316 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $1,075/mo in Laredo, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 91 in Laredo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving vs $432/month in Laredo. Laredo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 111 in Irving and 107 in Laredo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving vs $428 in Laredo. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Irving and 77 in Laredo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $73,400 in Irving and $63,900 in Laredo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 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 $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $1,491/month in Laredo. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/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 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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