Moving from Columbia, MO to Laredo, TX
It is 1009 mi between Columbia and Laredo — roughly 18h 32m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1009 mi · 18h 32m by car · TX → OK → MO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 69, I 44 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Columbia | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.438 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 85.966 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.193 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 69.248 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Columbia and Laredo sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $321,091 in Columbia to $220,331 in Laredo, a 2.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Columbia +2.6%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Columbia | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.4" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.8" | 19.7" |
Annual average temperature jumps 18.8°F — 56.2°F in Columbia vs 75.0°F in Laredo, per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
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: COLUMBIA U OF M, MO US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbia | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $64,488 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.1% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.48 | 3.36 |
Household income lines up — $64,488 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 Missouri 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.
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 (18.8°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
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Columbia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $321,091 in Columbia — a 31.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Laredo more expensive than Columbia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 2.8% lower than Columbia (86.956 vs 89.438, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Columbia and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 56.2°F in Columbia (18.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 17.4 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 44.8 in.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Columbia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $44,410 in the Columbia MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 97,940 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Columbia 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 1009 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Laredo, TX from Columbia, MO?
The driving distance is 1009 mi and the route typically takes 18h 32m via I 35 and US 69. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Columbia vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $64,488 in Columbia — a 1.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Columbia.
City profiles: Columbia, MO · Laredo, TX.