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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Laredo

Texas
67

San Jose is 279% more expensive than Laredo.

$2,617/mo ↑ 161%
Median Rent
$1,001/mo ↓ 62%
$141,565/yr ↑ 124%
Median Income
$63,264/yr ↓ 55%
$1,187,800 ↑ 551%
Home Value
$182,400 ↓ 85%
$2,775/mo ↑ 160%
Owner Costs
$1,066/mo ↓ 62%
990,054
Population
255,949

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Laredo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 67 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,616/month cheaper in Laredo, saving renters about $19,392/year.

Median household income is $78,301/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 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 Jose vs Laredo — common questions

Is San Jose or Laredo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Laredo is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Laredo?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Laredo it's $1,001/month — a difference of $1,616/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Laredo?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $63,264 in Laredo. Median household income is $78,301/year higher in San Jose.
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 Jose or Laredo?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 Jose details → View Laredo details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Jose and Laredo

San Jose vs. Dallas San Jose vs. Austin San Jose vs. San Diego San Jose vs. Jacksonville San Jose vs. San Antonio San Jose vs. Fort Worth Laredo vs. St. Petersburg Laredo vs. Irving Laredo vs. Lubbock Laredo vs. Chesapeake Laredo vs. Fort Wayne Laredo vs. Winston-Salem