McAllen, TX vs Laredo, TX: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Laredo, TX is 1.2% more expensive than McAllen, TX (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in McAllen works out to about $75,900 in Laredo, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 6.9% more in Laredo. Goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $1,129 a month in Laredo and $1,119 in McAllen, nearly the same (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $215,000 in Laredo and $189,000 in McAllen.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Laredo was 4.5% more expensive than McAllen.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 6.9% higher in Laredo than in McAllen
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- McAllen, TX
- Laredo, TX
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| McAllen, TX | Laredo, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 85.9 | 87.0 |
| Goods | 93.8 | 93.8 |
| Housing (rents) | 55.9 | 59.7 |
| Utilities | 81.2 | 80.6 |
| Other services | 96.2 | 96.2 |
| Category | McAllen | Laredo | Laredo vs McAllen |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 85.9 | 87.0 | +1.2% |
| Goods | 93.8 | 93.8 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 55.9 | 59.7 | +6.9% |
| Utilities | 81.2 | 80.6 | −0.7% |
| Other services | 96.2 | 96.2 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,119 | $1,129 | +0.9% |
| Typical home value | $189,000 | $215,000 | +13.9% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in McAllen | $75,000 | $75,900 | +1.2% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between McAllen and Laredo has narrowed since 2008: 4.7 points then, 1.1 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- McAllen, TX
- Laredo, TX
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| McAllen, TX | Laredo, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 86.9 | 91.6 |
| 2009 | 86.3 | 90.0 |
| 2010 | 87.8 | 91.0 |
| 2011 | 88.0 | 92.0 |
| 2012 | 89.2 | 92.4 |
| 2013 | 88.3 | 91.6 |
| 2014 | 89.1 | 93.3 |
| 2015 | 89.4 | 94.1 |
| 2016 | 89.8 | 93.7 |
| 2017 | 89.3 | 90.6 |
| 2018 | 86.8 | 90.6 |
| 2019 | 86.8 | 90.8 |
| 2020 | 88.0 | 91.7 |
| 2021 | 87.2 | 89.5 |
| 2022 | 86.6 | 90.1 |
| 2023 | 86.1 | 88.3 |
| 2024 | 85.9 | 87.0 |
Goods
- McAllen, TX
- Laredo, TX
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| McAllen, TX | Laredo, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.1 | 97.1 |
| 2009 | 95.2 | 95.2 |
| 2010 | 96.6 | 96.6 |
| 2011 | 96.9 | 96.9 |
| 2012 | 97.3 | 97.3 |
| 2013 | 97.3 | 97.3 |
| 2014 | 97.6 | 97.6 |
| 2015 | 97.0 | 97.0 |
| 2016 | 97.2 | 97.2 |
| 2017 | 97.1 | 97.1 |
| 2018 | 94.4 | 94.4 |
| 2019 | 96.2 | 96.2 |
| 2020 | 96.2 | 96.2 |
| 2021 | 96.2 | 96.2 |
| 2022 | 93.7 | 93.7 |
| 2023 | 92.9 | 92.9 |
| 2024 | 93.8 | 93.8 |
Housing (rents)
- McAllen, TX
- Laredo, TX
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| McAllen, TX | Laredo, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 54.4 | 66.4 |
| 2009 | 53.7 | 64.6 |
| 2010 | 52.6 | 63.7 |
| 2011 | 54.1 | 68.3 |
| 2012 | 56.9 | 68.6 |
| 2013 | 54.8 | 66.5 |
| 2014 | 56.3 | 71.4 |
| 2015 | 56.2 | 75.2 |
| 2016 | 56.6 | 73.3 |
| 2017 | 57.0 | 63.6 |
| 2018 | 56.8 | 69.5 |
| 2019 | 55.5 | 68.2 |
| 2020 | 56.4 | 69.3 |
| 2021 | 56.3 | 60.6 |
| 2022 | 57.6 | 69.7 |
| 2023 | 57.0 | 64.3 |
| 2024 | 55.9 | 59.7 |
Utilities
- McAllen, TX
- Laredo, TX
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| McAllen, TX | Laredo, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 101.5 | 101.4 |
| 2009 | 95.8 | 96.0 |
| 2010 | 95.4 | 95.3 |
| 2011 | 90.4 | 90.2 |
| 2012 | 88.4 | 88.3 |
| 2013 | 89.5 | 89.4 |
| 2014 | 92.9 | 93.0 |
| 2015 | 90.3 | 90.5 |
| 2016 | 85.9 | 86.1 |
| 2017 | 81.4 | 81.2 |
| 2018 | 83.2 | 82.9 |
| 2019 | 85.5 | 84.9 |
| 2020 | 85.1 | 84.9 |
| 2021 | 84.6 | 84.6 |
| 2022 | 86.3 | 85.7 |
| 2023 | 88.0 | 88.4 |
| 2024 | 81.2 | 80.6 |
Other services
- McAllen, TX
- Laredo, TX
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| McAllen, TX | Laredo, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.5 | 98.5 |
| 2009 | 98.1 | 98.1 |
| 2010 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
| 2011 | 100.8 | 100.8 |
| 2012 | 100.7 | 100.7 |
| 2013 | 100.3 | 100.3 |
| 2014 | 100.3 | 100.3 |
| 2015 | 101.0 | 101.0 |
| 2016 | 102.3 | 102.3 |
| 2017 | 100.5 | 100.5 |
| 2018 | 97.7 | 97.7 |
| 2019 | 96.9 | 96.9 |
| 2020 | 99.3 | 99.3 |
| 2021 | 98.1 | 98.1 |
| 2022 | 96.7 | 96.7 |
| 2023 | 95.8 | 95.8 |
| 2024 | 96.2 | 96.2 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,129 in Laredo vs $1,119 in McAllen
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- McAllen, TX
- Laredo, TX
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| McAllen, TX | Laredo, TX | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $803 | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $817 | – | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $826 | – | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $822 | – | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $804 | – | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $826 | – | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $831 | – | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $819 | – | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $828 | $805 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $829 | $805 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $842 | $808 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $830 | $821 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $841 | $821 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $843 | $836 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $849 | $843 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $848 | $838 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $858 | $847 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $864 | $852 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $869 | $852 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $871 | $854 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $882 | $852 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $882 | $859 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $901 | $874 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $907 | $860 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $926 | $868 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $951 | $886 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $988 | $932 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $998 | $951 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,020 | $979 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,049 | $991 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,056 | $1,004 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,057 | $997 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,079 | $1,013 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,090 | $1,039 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,092 | $1,072 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,094 | $1,071 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,097 | – | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,107 | $1,085 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,102 | $1,111 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,101 | $1,095 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,106 | $1,139 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,114 | $1,141 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,109 | $1,118 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,108 | $1,099 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,110 | $1,125 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,115 | $1,151 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,119 | $1,129 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $215,000 in Laredo vs $189,000 in McAllen
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- McAllen, TX
- Laredo, TX
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| McAllen, TX | Laredo, TX | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $94K | $140K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $95K | $143K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $97K | $146K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $98K | $149K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $101K | $149K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $101K | $150K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $102K | $152K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $104K | $153K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $105K | $153K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $105K | $154K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $105K | $155K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $106K | $156K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $108K | $157K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $110K | $159K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $111K | $161K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $112K | $162K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $112K | $164K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $114K | $164K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $117K | $168K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $119K | $170K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $121K | $172K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $123K | $175K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $128K | $180K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $134K | $181K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $140K | $187K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $145K | $190K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $147K | $195K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $150K | $198K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $161K | $201K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $169K | $206K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $174K | $208K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $176K | $207K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $177K | $209K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $181K | $215K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $183K | $215K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $188K | $209K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $190K | $207K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $191K | $208K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $191K | $207K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $192K | $208K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $191K | $210K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $189K | $210K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $190K | $211K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $189K | $213K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $191K | $216K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $189K | $216K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $189K | $215K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.