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

Riverside

California
144
VS

Laredo

Texas
67

Riverside is 115% more expensive than Laredo.

$1,812/mo ↑ 81%
Median Rent
$1,001/mo ↓ 45%
$88,575/yr ↑ 40%
Median Income
$63,264/yr ↓ 29%
$542,100 ↑ 197%
Home Value
$182,400 ↓ 66%
$1,880/mo ↑ 76%
Owner Costs
$1,066/mo ↓ 43%
316,241
Population
255,949

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Riverside, CA and Laredo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 144 and 67 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $811/month cheaper in Laredo, saving renters about $9,732/year.

Median household income is $25,311/year higher in Riverside. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Riverside is $542,100 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

Riverside vs Laredo — common questions

Is Riverside or Laredo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Laredo is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 144 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Riverside and Laredo?
Median rent in Riverside is $1,812/month and in Laredo it's $1,001/month — a difference of $811/month.
Which city has higher income, Riverside or Laredo?
Median household income is $88,575 in Riverside and $63,264 in Laredo. Median household income is $25,311/year higher in Riverside.
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 Riverside or Laredo?
It depends on your priorities. Riverside has a cost index of 144 with median rent of $1,812/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 Riverside details → View Laredo details →

More Comparisons

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