Laredo vs Montgomery
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Laredo
Montgomery
The Verdict
Living in Montgomery costs 3.8% less than Laredo. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Laredo, you would need $72,256 in Montgomery.
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 $72,256 in Montgomery.
Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $77,848 in Laredo.
Living in Laredo vs Montgomery
Housing Costs
Laredo's housing index of 81 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $190,000 vs $162,000. The $28,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,824 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Laredo compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Laredo and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Laredo vs $470/month in Montgomery. Laredo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 107 in Laredo and 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Laredo vs $460 in Montgomery. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 77 in Laredo and 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $63,900 in Laredo and $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,927 and $71,899 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 $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Laredo, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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