City Comparison

Laredo vs Nampa

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Laredo

Texas
82
Very Affordable
$190,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$63,900
Median Income

Nampa

Idaho
105
Average
$371,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$74,300
Median Income

The Verdict

21.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 21.9%, with Laredo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Laredo has equivalent purchasing power to $96,037 in Nampa.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
81
Laredo
104
Nampa
Groceries
91
Laredo
105
Nampa
Utilities
107
Laredo
83
Nampa
Transportation
90
Laredo
113
Nampa
Healthcare
77
Laredo
102
Nampa

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Laredo has the same purchasing power as $96,037 in Nampa.

Conversely, $75,000 in Nampa equals $58,571 in Laredo.

Living in Laredo vs Nampa

Housing Costs

Laredo's housing index of 81 is lower Nampa's 104, translating to median home prices of $190,000 vs $371,000. The $181,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,760 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Laredo compared to $1,500/mo in Nampa, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 91 in Laredo and 105 in Nampa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Laredo vs $499/month in Nampa. Laredo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $804/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 107 in Laredo and 83 in Nampa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Laredo vs $332 in Nampa. 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 77 in Laredo and 102 in Nampa. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-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 $74,300 in Nampa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,927 and $70,762 respectively. Laredo residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,491/month to housing in Laredo vs $1,734/month in Nampa. In Laredo, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Laredo is 21.9% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Laredo has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $96,037 in Nampa, based on the cost of living difference.
Laredo's housing index is 81 with median homes at $190,000, while Nampa's is 104 with median homes at $371,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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