Moving from Milwaukee, WI to Laredo, TX
Relocating 1434 mi from Milwaukee to Laredo is a 26h 10m drive through 5 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.
1434 mi · 26h 10m by car · WI → IL → MO → OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | WI → IL → MO → OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 35, US 69 |
| Major cities en route | Rockford, Springfield, St Louis, Springfield, Broken Arrow |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Milwaukee | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.937 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.59 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.111 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 10.3% cheaper overall in Laredo than Milwaukee on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Milwaukee to Laredo — $220,137 vs $220,331 (2026-03).
YoY change: Milwaukee +3.6%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Milwaukee | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 39.5" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 33.8" | 19.7" |
Annual average temperature gap of 26.7°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Laredo — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MT MARY COLLEGE, WI US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Milwaukee | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $51,888 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.2% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 3.36 |
Expect median household income to rise 10.3% — $51,888 → $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 Wisconsin 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — check 511wi.
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 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 (26.7°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
What is the climate difference between Milwaukee and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 48.3°F in Milwaukee (26.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 39.5 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 33.8 in.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Milwaukee?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $48,460 in the Milwaukee MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 814,950 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Milwaukee vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $51,888 in Milwaukee — a 21.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Milwaukee 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 1434 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Laredo more expensive than Milwaukee?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 10.3% lower than Milwaukee (86.956 vs 96.937, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Milwaukee?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $220,137 in Milwaukee — a 0.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Laredo, TX from Milwaukee, WI?
The driving distance is 1434 mi and the route typically takes 26h 10m via I 44 and I 35. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Milwaukee.
City profiles: Milwaukee, WI · Laredo, TX.