Cost of Living: Laredo, TX vs Lafayette, LA (2026)

Laredo

Texas
67
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Laredo is 13% cheaper than Lafayette.

$1,001/mo ↓ 6%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↑ 6%
$63,264/yr ↑ 3%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 3%
$182,400 ↓ 27%
Home Value
$251,300 ↑ 38%
$1,066/mo ≈ Same
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ≈ Same
255,949
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

19.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Laredo, TX and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $64/month cheaper in Laredo, saving renters about $768/year.

Median household income is $1,810/year higher in Laredo. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Laredo is $182,400 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Laredo residents a significant tax advantage over Louisiana's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Laredo vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Laredo or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Laredo is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 77 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Laredo and Lafayette?
Median rent in Laredo is $1,001/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $64/month.
Which city has higher income, Laredo or Lafayette?
Median household income is $63,264 in Laredo and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $1,810/year higher in Laredo.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Louisiana?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Laredo or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Laredo has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,001/mo, while Lafayette has a cost index of 77 with rent of $1,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Laredo details → View Lafayette details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Laredo and Lafayette

Laredo vs. St. Petersburg Laredo vs. Irving Laredo vs. Lubbock Laredo vs. Chesapeake Laredo vs. Fort Wayne Laredo vs. Winston-Salem Lafayette vs. Rochester Lafayette vs. Ann Arbor Lafayette vs. Independence Lafayette vs. Berkeley Lafayette vs. College Station Lafayette vs. Fairfield