Moving from Tampa, FL to Laredo, TX
A move from Tampa, FL to Laredo, TX covers 1327 mi and around 23h 52m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1327 mi · 23h 52m by car · FL → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 90, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | St Petersburg, Clearwater, Lakeland, Gainesville, Tallahassee |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tampa | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Laredo are 13.8% below Tampa — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Laredo typical home at $220,331 is 13.8% under Tampa at $374,888 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tampa -3.5%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tampa | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 53°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.5" | 19.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 74.5°F vs 75.0°F 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: TAMPA INTL AP, FL US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tampa | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $71,302 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.3% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.45 | 3.36 |
Median household income in Laredo is 13.8% below Tampa ($71,302 → $63,264, 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 Florida 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.
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.
- 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
Is Laredo more expensive than Tampa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 13.8% lower than Tampa (86.956 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Tampa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $46,420 in the Tampa MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Laredo, TX from Tampa, FL?
The driving distance is 1327 mi and the route typically takes 23h 52m via I 10 and US 90. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Tampa vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $71,302 in Tampa — a 11.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Tampa and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 74.5°F in Tampa (0.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 49.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Tampa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $374,888 in Tampa — a 41.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tampa 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 1327 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Tampa.
City profiles: Tampa, FL · Laredo, TX.