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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Laredo

Texas
67

San Francisco is 299% more expensive than Laredo.

$2,419/mo ↑ 142%
Median Rent
$1,001/mo ↓ 59%
$141,446/yr ↑ 124%
Median Income
$63,264/yr ↓ 55%
$1,380,500 ↑ 657%
Home Value
$182,400 ↓ 87%
$2,620/mo ↑ 146%
Owner Costs
$1,066/mo ↓ 59%
836,321
Population
255,949

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Laredo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 67 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,418/month cheaper in Laredo, saving renters about $17,016/year.

Median household income is $78,182/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 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

San Francisco vs Laredo — common questions

Is San Francisco or Laredo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Laredo is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Laredo?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Laredo it's $1,001/month — a difference of $1,418/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Laredo?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $63,264 in Laredo. Median household income is $78,182/year higher in San Francisco.
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 San Francisco or Laredo?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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 San Francisco details → View Laredo details →

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