Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Laredo, TX
The drive from Salt Lake City, UT to Laredo, TX runs 1373 mi — about 26h 51m 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.
1373 mi · 26h 51m by car · TX → NM → CO → UT
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → CO → UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 285, US 191, US 550 |
| Major cities en route | Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Provo, West Valley City, West Jordan |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salt Lake City | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Laredo is 13.8% cheaper than Salt Lake City overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Laredo is 13.8% below Salt Lake City — $573,181 vs $220,331 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Salt Lake City | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | 19.7" |
Laredo runs 19.2°F warmer on the annual average (55.8°F vs 75.0°F) — a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
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: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 33 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 3.36 |
Income steps down 13.8%: $74,925 in Salt Lake 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 Utah 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
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 (19.2°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 Salt Lake City and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 55.8°F in Salt Lake City (19.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 17.7 in.
When is the best time to move from Salt Lake 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 1373 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Salt Lake City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Salt Lake City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $573,181 in Salt Lake City — a 61.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Laredo, TX from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 1373 mi and the route typically takes 26h 51m via US 285 and US 191. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Salt Lake City vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City — a 15.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Laredo more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 13.8% lower than Salt Lake City (86.956 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Salt Lake City.
City profiles: Salt Lake City, UT · Laredo, TX.