Moving from Tacoma, WA to Laredo, TX
Cross-country relocations like Tacoma, WA β Laredo, TX cover 2209 mi and about 41h 35m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2209 mi Β· 41h 35m by car Β· TX β NM β CO β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β CO β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 285, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Provo, Salt Lake City, West Valley City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | 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 |
Overall price level runs 21.8% below Tacoma β a substantial cost-of-living drop on the BEA Regional Price Parity (111.133 β 86.956, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Laredo is 21.8% below Tacoma β $493,840 vs $220,331 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 100Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 19.7" |
Laredo runs 21.3Β°F warmer on the annual average (53.7Β°F vs 75.0Β°F) β a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Laredo gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 3.36 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 21.8% between Tacoma and Laredo (ACS 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 100Β°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 (21.3Β°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 household income compare in Tacoma vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 24.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2209 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Laredo more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 21.8% lower than Tacoma (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 Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma 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 far is Laredo, TX from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 2209 mi and the route typically takes 41h 35m via I 84 and US 285. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 55.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Laredo, TX.