CostIndexUSA

Chattanooga, TN vs Laredo, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TN
Chattanooga
91.5
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Laredo
87
overall index
$1,275/mo rent

Laredo is slightly cheaper than Chattanooga — 4.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chattanooga, you would need $76,100 in Laredo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing22.1%
Chattanooga
76.6
Laredo
59.7
🛒 Groceries2.3%
Chattanooga
96
Laredo
93.8
🚗 Transportation+1.0%
Chattanooga
100.1
Laredo
101.1
🏥 Healthcare+1.0%
Chattanooga
90.5
Laredo
91.4
Utilities+8.6%
Chattanooga
74.2
Laredo
80.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Laredo, TX
$76,100
$3,900 less needed in Laredo

Formula: salary × (87 ÷ 91.5) = salary × 0.9508. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Chattanooga, TN

Median Home Price
$314,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
76.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.4×

Laredo, TX

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

Chattanooga has 22.1% lower housing costs compared to Laredo.

Income & Job Market

Chattanooga, TN

Median Household Income
$68,700
Per Capita Income
$39,200
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
181,099
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareTourismTechnologyLogistics

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).

Chattanooga, TN
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.