Laredo wins overall by ~7% (COL index)
Cost of living: Laredo vs Lafayette (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Laredo buys roughly what $64,557 does in Lafayette (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$4,974/yr
Favoring Laredo for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $414/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~37 months and still keep ~$50/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Laredo Texas | Lafayette Louisiana | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $750Wins | $900 | Laredo wins +$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Laredo |
| 1BR rent/mo | $950Wins | $1,100 | Laredo wins +$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Laredo |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,250Wins | $1,450 | Laredo wins +$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Laredo |
| Median home price | $185KWins | $220K | Laredo wins +$35K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 89Better | 95 | Laredo wins +6 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $10Wins | $12 | Laredo wins +$2/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $44Better | $48 | Laredo wins +$4/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $35Wins | $42 | Laredo wins +$7/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $2.95Better | $3.00 | Laredo wins +$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $158Wins | $200 | Laredo wins +$42/mo | $504/yr saves in Laredo |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $168Wins | $208 | Laredo wins +$40/mo | $480/yr saves in Laredo |
| Internet/mo | $58Better | $58 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $44K | $50KWins | Lafayette wins +$6K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Wins | 4.3% | Laredo wins +4.3 pp | $2,580/yr saves in Laredo |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.3%Wins | 9.8% | Laredo wins +1.5 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $12.00Better | $13.00 | Laredo wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $28Wins | $32 | Laredo wins +$4/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $4.50Better | $5.00 | Laredo wins +$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 79Better | 85 | Laredo wins +6 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 20 | 22Better | Lafayette wins +2 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$2,580/yr tax difference into cash back
Laredo fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Laredo.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Is Laredo cheaper than Lafayette?
Yes. Laredo is 7% cheaper than Lafayette based on overall cost of living indices (79 vs 85, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Laredo vs Lafayette?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Laredo is $950/month and in Lafayette is $1,100/month. Laredo is cheaper by 14%.
How much do I need to earn in Lafayette to match a $75,000 salary in Laredo?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $80,696/year in Lafayette 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 — Laredo or Lafayette?
Laredo has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 4.3%. 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 — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Laredo to Lafayette?
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 · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Laredo ↔ Lafayette
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