Moving from Carlsbad, CA to Laredo, TX
Relocating 1348 mi from Carlsbad to Laredo is a 23h 48m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1348 mi Β· 23h 48m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 8, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Goodyear, El Cajon |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Carlsbad | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.887 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 174.247 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.963 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 179.267 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP drops from 111.887 in Carlsbad to 86.956 in Laredo, a 22.3% cut on the overall price level (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 22.3% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,370,649 to $220,331 moving to Laredo.
YoY change: Carlsbad -3.9%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Carlsbad | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 48Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 74Β°F | 100Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.4" | 19.7" |
Expect 12.5Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
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: CARLSBAD PALOMAR AP, CA US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Carlsbad | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,500 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $139,326 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 42.8 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.8% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.36 |
Expect median household income to fall 22.3% β $139,326 β $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 California 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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 (12.5Β°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 far is Laredo, TX from Carlsbad, CA?
The driving distance is 1348 mi and the route typically takes 23h 48m via I 10 and I 8. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Carlsbad to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1348 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Laredo more expensive than Carlsbad?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 22.3% lower than Carlsbad (86.956 vs 111.887, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Carlsbad vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $139,326 in Carlsbad β a 54.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Carlsbad?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $1,370,649 in Carlsbad β a 83.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Carlsbad?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $53,090 in the Carlsbad MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 1,522,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Carlsbad.
City profiles: Carlsbad, CA Β· Laredo, TX.