Moving from Kansas City, MO to Laredo, TX
The drive from Kansas City, MO to Laredo, TX runs 970 mi — about 16h 50m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
970 mi · 16h 50m by car · MO → KS → OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MO → KS → OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 470, I 35W |
| Major cities en route | Independence, Lee S Summit, Overland Park, Kansas City, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | 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 |
Overall prices in Laredo are 6.0% below Kansas City — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 6.0% lower in Laredo than Kansas City as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Kansas City +0.8%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Kansas City | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 19.7" |
NOAA normals show Laredo running 18.1°F above Kansas City on the annual mean.
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: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $67,449 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 3.36 |
Income steps down 6.0%: $67,449 in Kansas City vs $63,264 in Laredo.
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 (18.1°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 much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $250,208 in Kansas City — a 11.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Kansas City 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 970 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Kansas City and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 56.9°F in Kansas City (18.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 11.0 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 38.1 in.
Is Laredo more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 6.0% lower than Kansas City (86.956 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Laredo, TX from Kansas City, MO?
The driving distance is 970 mi and the route typically takes 16h 50m via I 35 and I 470. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City 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.
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $67,449 in Kansas City — a 6.2% lower 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 Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, MO · Laredo, TX.