Cost of Living: Irvine, CA vs Laredo, TX (2026)

Irvine

California
256
VS

Laredo

Texas
67

Irvine is 282% more expensive than Laredo.

$2,893/mo ↑ 189%
Median Rent
$1,001/mo ↓ 65%
$129,647/yr ↑ 105%
Median Income
$63,264/yr ↓ 51%
$1,115,400 ↑ 512%
Home Value
$182,400 ↓ 84%
$2,904/mo ↑ 172%
Owner Costs
$1,066/mo ↓ 63%
308,160
Population
255,949

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Laredo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 67 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,892/month cheaper in Laredo, saving renters about $22,704/year.

Median household income is $66,383/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $182,400 in Laredo.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Laredo residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Laredo — common questions

Is Irvine or Laredo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Laredo is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Laredo?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Laredo it's $1,001/month — a difference of $1,892/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Laredo?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $63,264 in Laredo. Median household income is $66,383/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or Laredo?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/mo, while Laredo has a cost index of 67 with rent of $1,001/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Irvine details → View Laredo details →

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