Moving from Chattanooga, TN to Laredo, TX
The drive from Chattanooga, TN to Laredo, TX runs 1164 mi — about 21h 2m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1164 mi · 21h 2m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → GA → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → GA → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 59, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Sugar Land, Houston, Pearland, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chattanooga | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.464 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.209 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.994 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.55 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Laredo and Chattanooga are close on the overall BEA RPP (91.464 vs 86.956); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Laredo typical home at $220,331 is 4.9% under Chattanooga at $319,579 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Chattanooga -0.8%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Chattanooga | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.0" | 19.7" |
Climate warms by 13.1°F on the annual average — 61.9°F → 75.0°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Laredo sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chattanooga | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $61,028 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 3.36 |
Household income lines up — $61,028 vs $63,264 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Laredo average 100°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.1°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Laredo more expensive than Chattanooga?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 4.9% lower than Chattanooga (86.956 vs 91.464, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Chattanooga to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1164 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Chattanooga vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $61,028 in Chattanooga — a 3.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Laredo, TX from Chattanooga, TN?
The driving distance is 1164 mi and the route typically takes 21h 2m via I 10 and I 59. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Chattanooga and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 61.9°F in Chattanooga (13.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 3.6 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 55.0 in.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Chattanooga?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $319,579 in Chattanooga — a 31.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Chattanooga?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 261,750 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chattanooga.
City profiles: Chattanooga, TN · Laredo, TX.