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

Massachusetts
107
Above Average
$230,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$41,612
Median Income

The Verdict

23.4%

Laredo is 23.4% less expensive than Springfield overall. A household earning $75,000 in Laredo would need approximately $97,866 in Springfield to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
81
Laredo
106
Springfield
Groceries
91
Laredo
104
Springfield
Utilities
107
Laredo
119
Springfield
Transportation
90
Laredo
101
Springfield
Healthcare
77
Laredo
114
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Laredo has the same purchasing power as $97,866 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $57,477 in Laredo.

Living in Laredo vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Laredo's housing index of 81 is lower Springfield's 106, translating to median home prices of $190,000 vs $230,000. The $40,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,604 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Laredo compared to $1,200/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 91 in Laredo and 104 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Laredo vs $494/month in Springfield. Laredo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 107 in Laredo and 119 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Laredo vs $476 in Springfield. 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 114 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 37-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 $41,612 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,927 and $38,890 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 $971/month in Springfield. In Laredo, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Laredo is 23.4% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Laredo has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $97,866 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 106 with median homes at $230,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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