Arlington, TX vs Laredo, TX

The cost of living difference between Arlington, TX and Laredo, TX is dramatic. Laredo is 32.1% cheaper than Arlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arlington has a cost index of 101 while Laredo sits at 76, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month compared to $1,001/month in Laredo — a 39% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Laredo is more affordable at $182,400 median vs $276,400.

Median household income in Arlington is $73,519 compared to $63,264 in Laredo (+16.2%). The higher salaries in Arlington partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 22.7% of their income on rent, more than the 19% in Laredo.