Moving from Brownsville, TX to Laredo, TX
Moving from Brownsville, TX to Laredo, TX covers 205 mi and about 4h by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
205 mi · 4h by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 83, I 69E, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Mcallen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Brownsville | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.975 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.15 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 57.72 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Brownsville (85.975) and Laredo (86.956) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Laredo at $220,331 is 1.1% above Brownsville at $195,993.
YoY change: Brownsville +2.1%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Brownsville | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 51°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | — | 19.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Laredo — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Brownsville | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $48,675 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 30.9 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.8% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.21 | 3.36 |
Median household income in Laredo is 1.1% above Brownsville ($48,675 vs $63,264, ACS 5-year 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.
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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Brownsville 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 205 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Brownsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 154,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Brownsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $195,993 in Brownsville — a 12.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Laredo more expensive than Brownsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 1.1% higher than Brownsville (86.956 vs 85.975, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Laredo, TX from Brownsville, TX?
The driving distance is 205 mi and the route typically takes 4h via US 83 and I 69E. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Brownsville vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $48,675 in Brownsville — a 30.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Brownsville.
City profiles: Brownsville, TX · Laredo, TX.