CostIndexUSA

Laredo, TX vs Modesto, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Laredo
87
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
CA
Modesto
104.1
overall index
$2,100/mo rent

Laredo is significantly cheaper than Modesto — 19.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Laredo, you would need $95,700 in Modesto. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+81.7%
Laredo
59.7
Modesto
108.5
🛒 Groceries+12.2%
Laredo
93.8
Modesto
105.2
🚗 Transportation+4.2%
Laredo
101.1
Modesto
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+4.3%
Laredo
91.4
Modesto
95.3
Utilities+89.0%
Laredo
80.6
Modesto
152.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Modesto, CA
$95,700
$15,700 more needed in Modesto

Formula: salary × (104.1 ÷ 87) = salary × 1.1966. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Laredo, TX

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

Modesto, CA

Median Home Price
$457,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
108.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Modesto has 81.7% higher housing costs compared to Laredo.

Income & Job Market

Laredo, TX

Median Household Income
$60,200
Per Capita Income
$34,300
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
261,639
Top Industries
International TradeHealthcareGovernmentRetailManufacturing

Modesto, CA

Median Household Income
$82,800
Per Capita Income
$47,200
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
Population
218,464
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Laredo, TX
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Modesto, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.