CostIndexUSA

Arlington, TX vs Laredo, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Arlington
103.1
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Laredo
87
overall index
$1,275/mo rent

Laredo is significantly cheaper than Arlington — 15.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $67,500 in Laredo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing49.4%
Arlington
117.9
Laredo
59.7
🛒 Groceries8.8%
Arlington
102.8
Laredo
93.8
🚗 Transportation3.4%
Arlington
104.7
Laredo
101.1
🏥 Healthcare3.5%
Arlington
94.7
Laredo
91.4
Utilities11.1%
Arlington
90.7
Laredo
80.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Arlington to see what you'd need to earn in Laredo to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Laredo, TX
$67,500
$12,500 less needed in Laredo

Formula: salary × (87 ÷ 103.1) = salary × 0.8438. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Arlington, TX

Median Home Price
$450,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1×

Laredo, TX

Median Home Price
$213,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
59.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.9×

Arlington has 49.4% lower housing costs compared to Laredo.

Income & Job Market

Arlington, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
394,266
Top Industries
EntertainmentManufacturingTechnologyHealthcareFinance

Laredo, TX

Median Household Income
$60,200
Per Capita Income
$34,300
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
261,639
Top Industries
International TradeHealthcareGovernmentRetailManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Arlington, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Laredo, TX
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.