$120K in Houston = $99,789 in Laredo
Your $120K salary in Houston (COL 95) has the same purchasing power as $99,789 in Laredo (COL 79). Laredo is cheaper — your money goes 17% further there.
Budget breakdown — $120K in both cities
What $120K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Houston $120K | Laredo $120K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $7,155 | $7,155 |
| 1BR rent | $1,350 | $950 |
| Groceries | $357 | $338 |
| Transport | $90 | $35 |
| Utilities | $175 | $168 |
| Internet | $65 | $58 |
| Left after essentials | $5,118/month | $5,606/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $120K in Houston equivalent to in Laredo?
$120K in Houston (COL index 95) has the same purchasing power as $99,789 in Laredo (COL index 79). That's 17% less than your current salary.
If I move from Houston to Laredo keeping my $120K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $120K after moving to Laredo, you'd have $488 more per month after core expenses — because Laredo is cheaper than Houston.
How is the salary equivalent calculated?
The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $120K × (79 ÷ 95) = $99,789. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Houston to Laredo
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only