Moving from Seattle, WA to Laredo, TX
It is 2197 mi and 41h 15m from Seattle 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.
2197 mi · 41h 15m by car · WA → OR → ID → UT → CO → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | WA → OR → ID → UT → CO → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 285, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Tacoma, Bellevue, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Laredo sits 21.8% cheaper than Seattle on the BEA RPP, one of the larger gaps you will see between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $868,680 in Seattle to $220,331 in Laredo, a 21.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Seattle | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 19.7" |
Annual average temperature jumps 21.8°F — 53.2°F in Seattle 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: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 3.36 |
Expect median household income to fall 21.8% — $121,984 → $63,264 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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 (21.8°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 Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $868,680 in Seattle — a 74.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Seattle 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 2197 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Laredo more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 21.8% lower than Seattle (86.956 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $121,984 in Seattle — a 48.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Laredo, TX from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 2197 mi and the route typically takes 41h 15m via I 84 and US 285. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Seattle and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 53.2°F in Seattle (21.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 37.8 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA · Laredo, TX.