Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Laredo to Los Angeles
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Laredo has a median household income of $63,915 and median gross rent of $1,030, while Los Angeles reports $81,939 income and $1,933 rent. Laredo’s lower income is offset by significantly lower housing costs, yielding a more favorable rent-to-income ratio. Commute times are shorter in Laredo (23 minutes) versus Los Angeles (33 minutes). Los Angeles applies a 9.30% state individual income tax in the calculator, while Laredo’s state tax is excluded per data boundaries. These factors create a trade-off: Los Angeles offers higher earnings but higher housing and tax burdens; Laredo provides affordability and shorter commutes at lower income levels. Neither city universally dominates—choice depends on individual priorities regarding income, housing costs, commute, and tax exposure.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Los Angeles → LaredoMoving from Laredo to Los Angeles
Median Rent Impact
+$903/mo
Moving to Los Angeles costs ~$10,836 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+9.3%
~$9,300 more state tax on a $100k salary in California.
Daily Commute Difference
+10 min / day
Difference of ~83 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTLAR → LAX
33/ 100
The offer needs work
The destination absorbs more of the offer.Estimated annual life delta−$8,868after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's
Watch closelyA $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal California tax reference
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Laredo is about $10,836 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Laredo household income$63,915
Los Angeles household income$81,939
Laredo gross rent$1,030
Los Angeles gross rent$1,933
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Laredo | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 257,619 | 3,857,263 |
| Median household income | $63,915 | $81,939 |
| Median gross rent | $1,030 | $1,933 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $193,500 | $921,200 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 9.3% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 23 minutes in Laredo and 33 minutes in Los Angeles. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- One-way commute time
- State individual income tax treatment
What each city wins
Laredo
Rent-to-income ratio suggests affordability at the city level.. Watch citywide averages may mask significant local cost and income disparities..
Los Angeles
A large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's. Watch a $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal california tax reference.
Frequently asked questions
How does housing affordability compare between Laredo and Los Angeles?
Laredo’s median gross rent is $1,030 versus Los Angeles’ $1,933, while median household income is $63,915 in Laredo and $81,939 in Los Angeles. Rent consumes a smaller share of income in Laredo, indicating better relative housing affordability despite lower nominal earnings.
What role does commute time and tax play in the Laredo-Los Angeles comparison?
Laredo’s average one-way commute is 23 minutes, 10 minutes shorter than Los Angeles’ 33 minutes. Los Angeles incorporates a 9.30% state individual income tax in its calculator, while Laredo’s state tax is excluded per data boundaries, affecting net income comparisons.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.