Moving from Philadelphia, PA to Laredo, TX
It is 1896 mi and 34h 17m from Philadelphia to Laredo — a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1896 mi · 34h 17m by car · PA → DE → MD → VA → TN → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → DE → MD → VA → TN → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Baltimore, Alexandria, Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Philadelphia | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.554 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 114.389 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.833 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.141 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 15.2% cheaper overall in Laredo than Philadelphia on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 15.2% under Philadelphia — $231,815 → $220,331 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Philadelphia +2.0%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Philadelphia | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.1" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.7" | 19.7" |
Annual average temperature gap of 17.3°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Laredo — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Philadelphia | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $60,698 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 3.36 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Pennsylvania 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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 (17.3°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 does the job market in Laredo compare to Philadelphia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 2,829,560 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Laredo more expensive than Philadelphia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 15.2% lower than Philadelphia (86.956 vs 102.554, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Philadelphia vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $60,698 in Philadelphia — a 4.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Philadelphia 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 1896 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Philadelphia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $231,815 in Philadelphia — a 5.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Philadelphia and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 57.7°F in Philadelphia (17.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 16.1 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 50.7 in.
How far is Laredo, TX from Philadelphia, PA?
The driving distance is 1896 mi and the route typically takes 34h 17m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Philadelphia.
City profiles: Philadelphia, PA · Laredo, TX.