$80K in McAllen = $81,026 in Laredo
Your $80K salary in McAllen (COL 78) has the same purchasing power as $81,026 in Laredo (COL 79). Laredo is more expensive — you'd need 1% more to maintain the same lifestyle.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | McAllen $80K | Laredo $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $5,057 | $5,057 |
| 1BR rent | $950 | $950 |
| Groceries | $338 | $338 |
| Transport | $35 | $35 |
| Utilities | $165 | $168 |
| Internet | $60 | $58 |
| Left after essentials | $3,509/month | $3,508/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in McAllen equivalent to in Laredo?
$80K in McAllen (COL index 78) has the same purchasing power as $81,026 in Laredo (COL index 79). That's 1% more than your current salary.
If I move from McAllen to Laredo keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Not necessarily. Core expenses in Laredo are higher, so on the same $80K salary you'd have $1 less per month. You'd need to earn $81,026 to maintain the same standard of living.
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: $80K × (79 ÷ 78) = $81,026. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — McAllen to Laredo
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only