CostIndexUSA

Chico, CA vs Laredo, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Chico
101.2
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Laredo
87
overall index
$1,275/mo rent

Laredo is moderately cheaper than Chico — 14.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chico, you would need $68,800 in Laredo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing35.0%
Chico
91.9
Laredo
59.7
🛒 Groceries10.8%
Chico
105.2
Laredo
93.8
🚗 Transportation4.0%
Chico
105.3
Laredo
101.1
🏥 Healthcare4.1%
Chico
95.3
Laredo
91.4
Utilities49.2%
Chico
158.8
Laredo
80.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Laredo, TX
$68,800
$11,200 less needed in Laredo

Formula: salary × (87 ÷ 101.2) = salary × 0.8597. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Chico, CA

Median Home Price
$390,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
91.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.6×

Laredo, TX

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

Chico has 35.0% lower housing costs compared to Laredo.

Income & Job Market

Chico, CA

Median Household Income
$63,200
Per Capita Income
$36,000
Unemployment Rate
6.9%
Population
101,475
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareAgricultureManufacturingRetail

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).

Chico, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.