Laredo vs Modesto
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Laredo
Modesto
The Verdict
Living in Laredo costs 26.8% less than Modesto. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Laredo, you would need $102,439 in Modesto.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Laredo has the same purchasing power as $102,439 in Modesto.
Conversely, $75,000 in Modesto equals $54,911 in Laredo.
Living in Laredo vs Modesto
Housing Costs
Laredo's housing index of 81 is lower Modesto's 121, translating to median home prices of $190,000 vs $380,000. The $190,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,348 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Laredo compared to $1,400/mo in Modesto, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Laredo and 100 in Modesto. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Laredo vs $475/month in Modesto. Laredo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 107 in Laredo and 108 in Modesto. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Laredo vs $432 in Modesto. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 77 in Laredo and 100 in Modesto. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $63,900 in Laredo and $55,138 in Modesto. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,927 and $49,230 respectively. Laredo residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,491/month to housing in Laredo vs $1,287/month in Modesto. In Laredo, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Modesto, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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