CostIndexUSA

Laredo, TX vs Tuscaloosa, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Laredo
87
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
AL
Tuscaloosa
87.7
overall index
$1,525/mo rent

Laredo is slightly cheaper than Tuscaloosa — 0.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Laredo, you would need $80,600 in Tuscaloosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing2.5%
Laredo
59.7
Tuscaloosa
58.2
🛒 Groceries+2.8%
Laredo
93.8
Tuscaloosa
96.4
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Laredo
101.1
Tuscaloosa
101.5
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Laredo
91.4
Tuscaloosa
91.9
Utilities+4.7%
Laredo
80.6
Tuscaloosa
84.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
$80,600
$600 more needed in Tuscaloosa

Formula: salary × (87.7 ÷ 87) = salary × 1.0080. 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×

Tuscaloosa, AL

Median Home Price
$213,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,525
Housing Index
58.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.6×

Laredo has 2.5% lower housing costs compared to Tuscaloosa.

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

Tuscaloosa, AL

Median Household Income
$58,200
Per Capita Income
$33,200
Unemployment Rate
5.9%
Population
99,543
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingAutomotiveGovernment

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)

Tuscaloosa, AL
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% 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.