Laredo vs Tulsa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Laredo
Tulsa
💡 The Verdict
Tulsa is 1% cheaper than Laredo overall. A $75,000 salary in Laredo is equivalent to $74,128 in Tulsa.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Laredo (left) vs Tulsa (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Laredo versus Tulsa. Differences shown from Laredo perspective.
| Item | Laredo | Tulsa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $750/mo | $710/mo | +$40.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,050/mo | $950/mo | +$100.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,430/mo | $1,260/mo | +$170.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.53 | $2.80 | $-0.27 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.20 | $3.47 | $-0.27 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.00 | $3.03 | $-0.03 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.28 | $5.24 | +$0.04 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.02 | $3.35 | $-0.33 |
| Restaurant Meal | $13.16 | $13.48 | $-0.32 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Laredo has the same purchasing power as $74,128 in Tulsa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tulsa equals $75,882 in Laredo.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $3151 difference is driven by Oklahoma having a higher state income tax rate. Texas details → · Oklahoma details →
Reading These Numbers: Laredo (86) vs Tulsa (85)
Laredo at 86 is 14% below the US average, while Tulsa at 85 is 15% below average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In Laredo, the composite index of 86 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 78, followed by groceries (87), utilities (84), transportation (86), and healthcare (95). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,050/mo in Laredo and $950/mo in Tulsa, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,200.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $6,000.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $47,000.0 difference in median home prices between Laredo and Tulsa translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Laredo vs Tulsa
Choosing between Laredo and Tulsa involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Long-term affordability in Laredo versus Tulsa depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.