Moving from Fort Worth, TX to Laredo, TX
It is a 423 mi drive, roughly 7h 30m, between Fort Worth, TX and Laredo, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
423 mi Β· 7h 30m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 287 BUS, I 35W |
| Major cities en route | Carrollton, Lewisville, Irving, Arlington, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Worth | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 15.7% cheaper overall in Laredo than Fort Worth on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
15.7% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fort Worth -2.8%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Worth | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 100Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 19.7" |
Annual temperature rises 7.5Β°F moving to Laredo per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Laredo β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Worth | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $76,602 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 3.36 |
Households in Laredo earn about 15.7% less at the median β 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.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 100Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Fort Worth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Fort Worth vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $76,602 in Fort Worth β a 17.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Laredo more expensive than Fort Worth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 15.7% lower than Fort Worth (86.956 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Fort Worth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $298,051 in Fort Worth β a 26.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Laredo, TX from Fort Worth, TX?
The driving distance is 423 mi and the route typically takes 7h 30m via I 35 and US 287 BUS. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fort Worth to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 423 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Worth.
City profiles: Fort Worth, TX Β· Laredo, TX.