City comparison
No. Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 143 in Anaheim, and its violent crime index is 99 versus 165, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Laredo is cheaper. Median rent is $1,030 a month versus $2,175 in Anaheim.
The cost gap between Anaheim and Laredo is the real story here. Laredo comes in 53% cheaper on typical rent ($2,175 vs $1,030), which over a year adds up to $13,740. Median household income runs $95,227 in Anaheim and $63,915 in Laredo.
This is a genuine split. Anaheim wins on the job market and Laredo wins on cost of living and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Laredo at $1,030 average has pockets that run $830 and others at $1,430: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Anaheim and Laredo are 1,176 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,175 a month in Anaheim to $1,030 a month in Laredo, down $1,145 a month (53%).
Median household income goes from $95,227 in Anaheim to $63,915 in Laredo, down $31,312 (33%).
The crime index goes from 143 in Anaheim to 90 in Laredo, down 53 points (37%).
The move
Laredo and Anaheim are 1,176 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,030 a month in Laredo to $2,175 a month in Anaheim, up $1,145 a month (111%).
Median household income goes from $63,915 in Laredo to $95,227 in Anaheim, up $31,312 (49%).
The crime index goes from 90 in Laredo to 143 in Anaheim, up 53 points (59%).
Anaheim, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Laredo, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Anaheim and Laredo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
53% cheaper
Laredo rent is 53% cheaper than Anaheim
Anaheim
$2,175/mo
Laredo
Winner$1,030/mo
Typical rent runs $1,030 a month in Laredo versus $2,175 in Anaheim, so Laredo is 53% cheaper. That's roughly $1,145/month back in your pocket ($13,740/year). Over five years that's $68,700 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Anaheim, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Laredo is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Laredo? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
49% higher
Anaheim's median income is 49% higher than Laredo
Anaheim
Winner$95,227
Laredo
$63,915
Median household income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $63,915 in Laredo, so typical pay runs 49% higher in Anaheim (about $31,312 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Anaheim is the stronger labor market on paper. Laredo can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
37% lower crime
Laredo's crime index is 37% lower than Anaheim
Anaheim
143 (100 = avg)
Laredo
Winner90 (100 = avg)
Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 143 in Anaheim (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 37% lower in Laredo. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Laredo is the easier city. Anaheim can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Anaheim and Laredo are about even on typical weather.
Anaheim
76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Laredo
73°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Anaheim averages about 76°F (83°F highs); Laredo averages about 73°F (81°F highs). Anaheim sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Laredo sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Anaheim is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 49% higher here ($95,227). Start with Anaheim if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Laredo is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 53% cheaper here at about $1,030 a month. Choose Laredo if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Laredo is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 37% lower than Anaheim (90 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
On rent alone, Laredo undercuts Anaheim by $1,145/month ($1,030 vs $2,175). I would not pick Anaheim on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Laredo rent at $1,030/month is still below Anaheim's $2,175, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 49/100 in Anaheim and 63/100 in Laredo.
Most movers who prioritize housing cost land in Laredo; Anaheim only makes sense when your offer letter is already written for Anaheim at $95,227 income.
Common questions
Ready to move to Laredo?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Laredo when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Anaheim and Laredo, plus other cities in CA and TX.
