City comparison
No. Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 188 in Dallas, and its violent crime index is 99 versus 179, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Laredo is cheaper. Median rent is $1,030 a month versus $1,472 in Dallas.
Safety is where Dallas and Laredo split most clearly. Laredo scores 98 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,472 in Dallas and $1,030 in Laredo.
This is a genuine split. Dallas 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
Dallas and Laredo are 399 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,472 a month in Dallas to $1,030 a month in Laredo, down $442 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $70,518 in Dallas to $63,915 in Laredo, down $6,603 (9%).
The crime index goes from 188 in Dallas to 90 in Laredo, down 98 points (52%).
The move
Laredo and Dallas are 399 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,030 a month in Laredo to $1,472 a month in Dallas, up $442 a month (43%).
Median household income goes from $63,915 in Laredo to $70,518 in Dallas, up $6,603 (10%).
The crime index goes from 90 in Laredo to 188 in Dallas, up 98 points (109%).
Dallas, 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 Dallas and Laredo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
30% cheaper
Laredo rent is 30% cheaper than Dallas
Dallas
$1,472/mo
Laredo
Winner$1,030/mo
Typical rent runs $1,030 a month in Laredo versus $1,472 in Dallas, so Laredo is 30% cheaper. That's roughly $442/month back in your pocket ($5,304/year). Over five years that's $26,520 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 Dallas, 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
10% higher
Dallas's median income is 10% higher than Laredo
Dallas
Winner$70,518
Laredo
$63,915
Median household income is $70,518 in Dallas versus $63,915 in Laredo, so typical pay runs 10% higher in Dallas (about $6,603 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
52% lower crime
Laredo's crime index is 52% lower than Dallas
Dallas
188 (100 = avg)
Laredo
Winner90 (100 = avg)
Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 188 in Dallas (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 52% 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. Dallas can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Dallas and Laredo are about even on typical weather.
Dallas
67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Laredo
73°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Dallas averages about 67°F (74°F highs); Laredo averages about 73°F (81°F highs). Dallas sits near 67°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
Dallas is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 10% higher here ($70,518). Start with Dallas 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 52% lower than Dallas (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
Safety is the widest gap: Laredo scores 63/100 versus 41/100 in Dallas. Rent is $1,030/month in Laredo and $1,472/month in Dallas, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Dallas still pays more locally ($70,518 median income vs $63,915), which can offset the lease if your field pays Dallas rates.
Median income is $70,518 in Dallas versus $63,915 in Laredo.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Laredo; Dallas only makes sense when you have walked the Dallas ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,472 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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