Laredo vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Laredo
Surprise
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 20.4%, with Laredo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Laredo has equivalent purchasing power to $94,207 in Surprise.
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 $94,207 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $59,709 in Laredo.
Living in Laredo vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Laredo's housing index of 81 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $190,000 vs $419,000. The $229,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,880 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Laredo compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Laredo and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Laredo vs $475/month in Surprise. Laredo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 107 in Laredo and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Laredo vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 77 in Laredo and 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,927 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Laredo, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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