CostIndexUSA

Boulder, CO vs Laredo, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Boulder
105.2
overall index
$2,250/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Laredo
87
overall index
$1,275/mo rent

Laredo is significantly cheaper than Boulder — 17.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boulder, you would need $66,200 in Laredo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing62.0%
Boulder
157
Laredo
59.7
🛒 Groceries2.4%
Boulder
96.1
Laredo
93.8
🚗 Transportation3.5%
Boulder
104.8
Laredo
101.1
🏥 Healthcare3.6%
Boulder
94.8
Laredo
91.4
Utilities2.5%
Boulder
82.7
Laredo
80.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Laredo, TX
$66,200
$13,800 less needed in Laredo

Formula: salary × (87 ÷ 105.2) = salary × 0.8270. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boulder, CO

Median Home Price
$702,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,250
Housing Index
157
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.0×

Laredo, TX

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

Boulder has 62.0% lower housing costs compared to Laredo.

Income & Job Market

Boulder, CO

Median Household Income
$95,400
Per Capita Income
$54,400
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
105,112
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationResearchHealthcareOutdoor Recreation

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).

Boulder, CO
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.