City Comparison

Laredo vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Laredo

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

Springfield

Illinois
78
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$925/mo
Median Rent
$65,500
Median Income

The Verdict

5.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 5.1%, with Springfield being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Laredo has equivalent purchasing power to $71,341 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
81
Laredo
52
Springfield
Groceries
91
Laredo
98
Springfield
Utilities
107
Laredo
98
Springfield
Transportation
90
Laredo
114
Springfield
Healthcare
77
Laredo
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Laredo has the same purchasing power as $71,341 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $78,846 in Laredo.

Living in Laredo vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Laredo's housing index of 81 is higher Springfield's 52, 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 $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 91 in Laredo and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Laredo vs $466/month in Springfield. Laredo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $408/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 107 in Laredo and 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Laredo vs $392 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 77 in Laredo and 91 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,927 and $83,974 respectively. Springfield 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 $1,528/month in Springfield. In Laredo, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 29 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 5.1% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 82.
A $75,000 salary in Laredo has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,341 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Laredo's housing index is 81 with median homes at $190,000, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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