Moving from Independence, MO to Laredo, TX
Relocating 930 mi from Independence to Laredo is a 17h 7m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
930 mi · 17h 7m by car · TX → OK → MO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 69, US 75 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Independence | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.0% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Laredo at 86.956 vs Independence at 92.543.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.0% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Independence +2.6%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Independence | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.2" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.7" | 19.7" |
Expect 21.0°F warmer on average per year — plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Laredo gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: INDEPENDENCE, MO US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Independence | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $59,480 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.7% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 3.36 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 6.0% higher in Laredo than Independence.
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 Missouri 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (21.0°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
When is the best time to move from Independence 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 930 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Independence and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 54.0°F in Independence (21.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 13.2 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 44.7 in.
How does household income compare in Independence vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $59,480 in Independence — a 6.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Independence?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $208,158 in Independence — a 5.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Laredo, TX from Independence, MO?
The driving distance is 930 mi and the route typically takes 17h 7m via I 35 and US 69. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Laredo more expensive than Independence?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 6.0% lower than Independence (86.956 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Independence?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $48,040 in the Independence MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 1,078,310 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 Independence.
City profiles: Independence, MO · Laredo, TX.