CostIndexUSA

Detroit, MI vs Laredo, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MI
Detroit
100.3
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Laredo
87
overall index
$1,275/mo rent

Laredo is moderately cheaper than Detroit — 13.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Detroit, you would need $69,400 in Laredo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing37.0%
Detroit
94.7
Laredo
59.7
🛒 Groceries5.1%
Detroit
98.8
Laredo
93.8
🚗 Transportation6.1%
Detroit
107.7
Laredo
101.1
🏥 Healthcare6.3%
Detroit
97.5
Laredo
91.4
Utilities24.7%
Detroit
107
Laredo
80.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Laredo, TX
$69,400
$10,600 less needed in Laredo

Formula: salary × (87 ÷ 100.3) = salary × 0.8674. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Detroit, MI

Median Home Price
$254,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
94.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6×

Laredo, TX

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

Detroit has 37.0% lower housing costs compared to Laredo.

Income & Job Market

Detroit, MI

Median Household Income
$72,600
Per Capita Income
$41,400
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
672,795
Top Industries
AutomotiveHealthcareTechnologyFinanceManufacturing

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).

Detroit, MI
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.