Laredo vs Odessa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Laredo
Odessa
The Verdict
Living in Laredo costs 3.5% less than Odessa. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Laredo, you would need $77,744 in Odessa.
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 $77,744 in Odessa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Odessa equals $72,353 in Laredo.
Living in Laredo vs Odessa
Housing Costs
Laredo's housing index of 81 is higher Odessa's 72, translating to median home prices of $190,000 vs $223,000. The $33,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,148 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Laredo compared to $1,150/mo in Odessa, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Laredo and 96 in Odessa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Laredo vs $456/month in Odessa. 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 107 in Laredo and 100 in Odessa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Laredo vs $400 in Odessa. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 77 in Laredo and 96 in Odessa. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $73,500 in Odessa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,927 and $86,471 respectively. Odessa residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,491/month to housing in Laredo vs $1,715/month in Odessa. In Laredo, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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