Moving from Laredo, TX to Austin, TX
It is a 235 mi drive, roughly 4h 15m, between Laredo, TX and Austin, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
235 mi · 4h 15m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 290, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Laredo | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 86.956 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.614 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 59.746 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 12.8% above Laredo — 86.956 → 98.066 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.8% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Laredo +2.5%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Laredo | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 100°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.7" | 36.3" |
Annual temperature drops 5.0°F moving to Austin per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Austin — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAREDO 2, TX US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Laredo | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $63,264 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 29.7 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.36 | 2.2 |
Austin households earn about 12.8% more than Laredo at the median — $63,264 → $91,461 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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 Austin average 97°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 Austin compare to Laredo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $35,220 in the Laredo MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 104,610 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Austin more expensive than Laredo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 12.8% higher than Laredo (98.066 vs 86.956, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Laredo to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 235 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Laredo vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $63,264 in Laredo — a 44.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Laredo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $220,331 in Laredo — a 130.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Austin, TX from Laredo, TX?
The driving distance is 235 mi and the route typically takes 4h 15m via I 35 and US 290. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Laredo and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 75.0°F in Laredo (5.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 19.7 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Laredo.
City profiles: Laredo, TX · Austin, TX.