CostIndexUSA

Buffalo, NY vs Laredo, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NY
Buffalo
95.8
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Laredo
87
overall index
$1,275/mo rent

Laredo is moderately cheaper than Buffalo — 9.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Buffalo, you would need $72,600 in Laredo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing26.3%
Buffalo
81
Laredo
59.7
🛒 Groceries5.9%
Buffalo
99.7
Laredo
93.8
🚗 Transportation1.5%
Buffalo
102.6
Laredo
101.1
🏥 Healthcare1.6%
Buffalo
92.9
Laredo
91.4
Utilities37.8%
Buffalo
129.5
Laredo
80.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Laredo, TX
$72,600
$7,400 less needed in Laredo

Formula: salary × (87 ÷ 95.8) = salary × 0.9081. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Buffalo, NY

Median Home Price
$269,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,375
Housing Index
81
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.3×

Laredo, TX

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

Buffalo has 26.3% lower housing costs compared to Laredo.

Income & Job Market

Buffalo, NY

Median Household Income
$69,900
Per Capita Income
$39,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
261,025
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceGovernment

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).

Buffalo, NY
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.