Moving from Laredo, TX to Clearwater, FL
It is 1294 mi between Laredo and Clearwater β roughly 24h 14m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1294 mi Β· 24h 14m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 19, US 98 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Sugar Land, Houston, Pearland, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Laredo | Clearwater | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 86.956 | 100.89 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.614 | 88.525 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 95.47 | 100.0 |
| Services | 59.746 | 125.839 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 16.0% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 16.0% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $220,331 to $339,488 moving to Clearwater.
YoY change: Laredo +2.5%, Clearwater -5.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Laredo | Clearwater |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 53Β°F |
| July avg high | 100Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.7" | 53.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Laredo (75.0Β°F) and Clearwater (73.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAREDO 2, TX US, ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Laredo | Clearwater |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 117,075 |
| Median household income | $63,264 | $64,440 |
| Median age | 29.7 | 46.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.36 | 2.35 |
Median household incomes in Laredo ($63,264) and Clearwater ($64,440) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Clearwater MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 201,260 | $41,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 145,340 | $36,560 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 135,010 | $30,310 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 114,660 | $36,330 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 111,490 | $75,840 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Clearwater average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Clearwater averages 53.6 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Clearwater more expensive than Laredo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clearwater is 16.0% higher than Laredo (100.89 vs 86.956, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Clearwater compare to Laredo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA vs $35,220 in the Laredo MSA, on total employment of 1,412,840 and 104,610 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Clearwater, FL from Laredo, TX?
The driving distance is 1294 mi and the route typically takes 24h 14m via I 10 and US 19. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Laredo to Clearwater?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1294 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Laredo vs Clearwater?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,440 in Clearwater vs $63,264 in Laredo β a 1.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Clearwater compared to Laredo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $339,488 in Clearwater vs $220,331 in Laredo β a 54.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Laredo.
City profiles: Laredo, TX Β· Clearwater, FL.