Tax-free edge
Laredo, TX
Balanced market
Colorado Springs, CO

Laredo wins overall by ~17% (COL index)

Cost of living: Laredo vs Colorado Springs (2026)

A $60,000 salary in Laredo buys roughly what $72,152 does in Colorado Springs (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices โ€” we break them down and personalize below.

๐Ÿ’ฐ0.0% vs 4.4% state tax ยท ~$2,640/yr take-home gap
๐Ÿ 37% rent gap (~$6,600/yr)
๐Ÿ›’9% lower groceries index

Your move simulator

Tell us about your household โ€” we calculate your real annual savings.

๐Ÿ’ต Household income (before tax)$60K
$40K$600K+
๐Ÿ  Apartment size
๐Ÿš— Cars in household
Laredo
$3,793/mo
take-home pay
Colorado Springs
$3,573/mo
take-home pay

Estimated annual swing

+$10,821/yr

Favoring Laredo for this income & household (illustrative).

With the extra $902/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~17 months and still keep ~$108/mo for dining out.

HousingTaxesGroceries
Laredo
Colorado Springs
๐Ÿ  HousingQ1 2026

Studio rent/mo

$750โœ“ better
$1,200
Laredo saves $450/mo
๐Ÿ’ฐ $5,400/yr in Laredo

1BR rent/mo

$950โœ“ better
$1,500
Laredo saves $550/mo
๐Ÿ’ฐ $6,600/yr in Laredo

2BR rent/mo

$1,250โœ“ better
$2,000
Laredo saves $750/mo
๐Ÿ’ฐ $9,000/yr in Laredo

Median home price

$185Kโœ“ better
$400K
Laredo saves $215K
๐Ÿ›’ Food & GroceriesQ1 2026

Groceries index (100 = US avg)

89โœ“ better
98
Laredo saves 9

Budget meal (1 person)

$10โœ“ better
$13
Laredo saves $3/mo

Mid-range dinner (2)

$44โœ“ better
$55
Laredo saves $11/mo
๐ŸšŒ TransportationQ1 2026

Monthly transit pass/mo

$35โœ“ better
$55
Laredo saves $20/mo
๐Ÿ’ฐ $240/yr in Laredo

Gas price/gal

$2.95โœ“ better
$3.35
Laredo saves $0.40

Car insurance/mo

$158
$145โœ“ better
Colorado saves $13/mo
โšก UtilitiesQ1 2026

Monthly utilities bundle/mo

$168
$145โœ“ better
Colorado saves $23/mo
๐Ÿ’ฐ $276/yr in Colorado

Internet/mo

$58โœ“ better
$65
Laredo saves $7/mo
๐Ÿ’ฐ Income & TaxesQ1 2026

Median household income/yr

$44K
$68Kโœ“ better
Colorado earns $24K

State income tax%

0.0%โœ“ better
4.4%
Laredo saves 4.4 pp
๐Ÿ’ฐ $2,640/yr in Laredo

Sales tax (combined)%

8.3%
8.0%โœ“ better
Colorado saves -0.3 pp
๐ŸŽฌ LeisureQ1 2026

Movie ticket

$12.00โœ“ better
$15.00
Laredo saves $3.00

Gym membership/mo

$28โœ“ better
$40
Laredo saves $12/mo

Beer at restaurant

$4.50โœ“ better
$6.50
Laredo saves $2.00
๐Ÿ“Š OverviewQ1 2026

Overall COL index (100 = US avg)

79โœ“ better
95
Laredo saves 16

Walk score / 100

20
30โœ“ better
Colorado earns 10

Complete the Picture

While youโ€™re comparing โ€” donโ€™t leave money on the table.

๐Ÿ’ฐ

Tax-smart rewards

Turn ~$2,640/yr tax difference into cash back

Laredo fits your move math โ€” cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.

See top cash-back cards
๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ

Home + auto bundle

New state โ€” new insurance rates

Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Laredo.

Browse insurance
๐Ÿฆ

High-yield savings

Park ~$6,600/yr rent savings at 4โ€“5%+ APY

Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% โ€” put it to work until closing day.

Compare savings rates

Ready to move?

Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.

Open full interactive tool

Complete the Picture

While youโ€™re comparing โ€” donโ€™t leave money on the table.

๐Ÿ“‰

If cash is tight

Knock down high-interest debt first

A move has upfront costs โ€” a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.

Compare loans
๐Ÿ“ˆ

If you're saving big

Invest the surplus on autopilot

Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.

See investing options

Frequently asked questions

Is Laredo cheaper than Colorado Springs?

Yes. Laredo is 17% cheaper than Colorado Springs based on overall cost of living indices (79 vs 95, where 100 = US average).

What is the average rent in Laredo vs Colorado Springs?

As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Laredo is $950/month and in Colorado Springs is $1,500/month. Laredo is cheaper by 37%.

How much do I need to earn in Colorado Springs to match a $75,000 salary in Laredo?

To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $90,190/year in Colorado Springs to match a $75,000 salary in Laredo. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.

Which city has lower taxes โ€” Laredo or Colorado Springs?

Laredo has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 4.4%. Laredo has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary โ€” see the full breakdown in the table above.

Is it worth moving from Laredo to Colorado Springs?

It depends on your priorities. Laredo offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.

Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS ยท Updated Q1 2026 ยท For general guidance only

Planning a move?

Salary equivalent: Laredo โ†” Colorado Springs

How much would you need to earn in Colorado Springs to match your Laredo purchasing power?

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