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

Santa Ana

California
163
VS

Laredo

Texas
67

Santa Ana is 143% more expensive than Laredo.

$1,975/mo ↑ 97%
Median Rent
$1,001/mo ↓ 49%
$88,354/yr ↑ 40%
Median Income
$63,264/yr ↓ 28%
$657,800 ↑ 261%
Home Value
$182,400 ↓ 72%
$1,965/mo ↑ 84%
Owner Costs
$1,066/mo ↓ 46%
311,639
Population
255,949

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Ana, CA and Laredo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 163 and 67 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $974/month cheaper in Laredo, saving renters about $11,688/year.

Median household income is $25,090/year higher in Santa Ana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Ana is $657,800 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

Santa Ana vs Laredo — common questions

Is Santa Ana or Laredo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Laredo is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 163 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Ana and Laredo?
Median rent in Santa Ana is $1,975/month and in Laredo it's $1,001/month — a difference of $974/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Ana or Laredo?
Median household income is $88,354 in Santa Ana and $63,264 in Laredo. Median household income is $25,090/year higher in Santa Ana.
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 Santa Ana or Laredo?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Ana has a cost index of 163 with median rent of $1,975/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 Santa Ana details → View Laredo details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Ana and Laredo

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