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

Laredo

Texas
67
VS

Carlsbad

California
253

Laredo is 74% cheaper than Carlsbad.

$1,001/mo ↓ 63%
Median Rent
$2,678/mo ↑ 168%
$63,264/yr ↓ 55%
Median Income
$139,326/yr ↑ 120%
$182,400 ↓ 84%
Home Value
$1,156,900 ↑ 534%
$1,066/mo ↓ 62%
Owner Costs
$2,801/mo ↑ 163%
255,949
Population
114,500

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

19.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Laredo, TX and Carlsbad, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 253 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,677/month cheaper in Laredo, saving renters about $20,124/year.

Median household income is $76,062/year higher in Carlsbad. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Laredo is $182,400 compared to $1,156,900 in Carlsbad.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Laredo vs Carlsbad — common questions

Is Laredo or Carlsbad cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Laredo is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 253 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Laredo and Carlsbad?
Median rent in Laredo is $1,001/month and in Carlsbad it's $2,678/month — a difference of $1,677/month.
Which city has higher income, Laredo or Carlsbad?
Median household income is $63,264 in Laredo and $139,326 in Carlsbad. Median household income is $76,062/year higher in Carlsbad.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Laredo or Carlsbad?
It depends on your priorities. Laredo has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,001/mo, while Carlsbad has a cost index of 253 with rent of $2,678/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Laredo details → View Carlsbad details →

More Comparisons

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