City Comparison

Laredo vs Toledo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Laredo

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

Toledo

Ohio
77
Very Affordable
$128,000
Median Home
$825/mo
Median Rent
$42,200
Median Income

The Verdict

6.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 6.5%, with Toledo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Laredo has equivalent purchasing power to $70,427 in Toledo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
81
Laredo
55
Toledo
Groceries
91
Laredo
98
Toledo
Utilities
107
Laredo
92
Toledo
Transportation
90
Laredo
101
Toledo
Healthcare
77
Laredo
84
Toledo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Laredo has the same purchasing power as $70,427 in Toledo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Toledo equals $79,870 in Laredo.

Living in Laredo vs Toledo

Housing Costs

Laredo's housing index of 81 is higher Toledo's 55, translating to median home prices of $190,000 vs $128,000. The $62,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,032 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Laredo compared to $825/mo in Toledo, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 91 in Laredo and 98 in Toledo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Laredo vs $466/month in Toledo. 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 92 in Toledo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Laredo vs $368 in Toledo. 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 84 in Toledo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $63,900 in Laredo and $42,200 in Toledo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,927 and $54,805 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 $985/month in Toledo. In Laredo, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Toledo, median rent of $825/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Toledo is 6.5% more affordable overall with an index of 77 vs 82.
A $75,000 salary in Laredo has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $70,427 in Toledo, based on the cost of living difference.
Laredo's housing index is 81 with median homes at $190,000, while Toledo's is 55 with median homes at $128,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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