City comparison
No. Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 132 in Arlington, and its violent crime index is 99 versus 130, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Laredo is cheaper. Median rent is $1,030 a month versus $1,470 in Arlington.
Safety is where Arlington and Laredo split most clearly. Laredo scores 42 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,470 in Arlington and $1,030 in Laredo.
This is a genuine split. Arlington 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
Arlington and Laredo are 389 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,030 a month in Laredo, down $440 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $63,915 in Laredo, down $11,256 (15%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 90 in Laredo, down 42 points (32%).
The move
Laredo and Arlington are 389 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,030 a month in Laredo to $1,470 a month in Arlington, up $440 a month (43%).
Median household income goes from $63,915 in Laredo to $75,171 in Arlington, up $11,256 (18%).
The crime index goes from 90 in Laredo to 132 in Arlington, up 42 points (47%).
Arlington, TX
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 Arlington and Laredo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
30% cheaper
Laredo rent is 30% cheaper than Arlington
Arlington
$1,470/mo
Laredo
Winner$1,030/mo
Typical rent runs $1,030 a month in Laredo versus $1,470 in Arlington, so Laredo is 30% cheaper. That's roughly $440/month back in your pocket ($5,280/year). Over five years that's $26,400 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 Arlington, 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
18% higher
Arlington's median income is 18% higher than Laredo
Arlington
Winner$75,171
Laredo
$63,915
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $63,915 in Laredo, so typical pay runs 18% higher in Arlington (about $11,256 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, Arlington 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
32% lower crime
Laredo's crime index is 32% lower than Arlington
Arlington
132 (100 = avg)
Laredo
Winner90 (100 = avg)
Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 132 in Arlington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 32% 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. Arlington can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Arlington and Laredo are about even on typical weather.
Arlington
67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Laredo
78°F avg · 86°F highs · comfort 100/100
Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs); Laredo averages about 78°F (86°F highs). Arlington sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Laredo sits near 78°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
Arlington is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 18% higher here ($75,171). Start with Arlington 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 30% 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 32% lower than Arlington (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
Housing separates these metros first: $1,030/month in Laredo versus $1,470 in Arlington. Median income reads $63,915 in Laredo and $75,171 in Arlington, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Laredo rent at $1,030/month is still below Arlington's $1,470, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $63,915 in Laredo.
If housing cost drives your move, Laredo is the stronger match ($1,030/month rent against $1,470). If an employer or family tie already points to Arlington, treat $1,470/month rent and $75,171 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
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 Arlington and Laredo, plus other cities in TX.
