City comparison
Yes. Honolulu's crime index is 80 versus 90 in Laredo, and its violent crime index is 57 versus 99, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Laredo is cheaper. Median rent is $1,030 a month versus $1,823 in Honolulu.
The cost gap between Honolulu and Laredo is the real story here. Laredo comes in 43% cheaper on typical rent ($1,823 vs $1,030), which over a year adds up to $9,516. Median household income runs $86,504 in Honolulu and $63,915 in Laredo.
This is a genuine split. Honolulu wins on the job market and safety and Laredo wins on cost of living. 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
Honolulu and Laredo are 3,664 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,823 a month in Honolulu to $1,030 a month in Laredo, down $793 a month (43%).
Median household income goes from $86,504 in Honolulu to $63,915 in Laredo, down $22,589 (26%).
The crime index goes from 80 in Honolulu to 90 in Laredo, up 10 points (13%).
The move
Laredo and Honolulu are 3,664 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,030 a month in Laredo to $1,823 a month in Honolulu, up $793 a month (77%).
Median household income goes from $63,915 in Laredo to $86,504 in Honolulu, up $22,589 (35%).
The crime index goes from 90 in Laredo to 80 in Honolulu, down 10 points (11%).
Honolulu, HI
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 Honolulu and Laredo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
43% cheaper
Laredo rent is 43% cheaper than Honolulu
Honolulu
$1,823/mo
Laredo
Winner$1,030/mo
Typical rent runs $1,030 a month in Laredo versus $1,823 in Honolulu, so Laredo is 43% cheaper. That's roughly $793/month back in your pocket ($9,516/year). Over five years that's $47,580 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 Honolulu, 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 Honolulu? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
35% higher
Honolulu's median income is 35% higher than Laredo
Honolulu
Winner$86,504
Laredo
$63,915
Median household income is $86,504 in Honolulu versus $63,915 in Laredo, so typical pay runs 35% higher in Honolulu (about $22,589 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, Honolulu 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
11% lower crime
Honolulu's crime index is 11% lower than Laredo
Honolulu
Winner80 (100 = avg)
Laredo
90 (100 = avg)
Honolulu's crime index is 80 versus 90 in Laredo (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 11% lower in Honolulu. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Honolulu, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Laredo. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Honolulu and Laredo are about even on typical weather.
Honolulu
77°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
Laredo
73°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Honolulu averages about 77°F (82°F highs); Laredo averages about 73°F (81°F highs). Honolulu sits near 77°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
Honolulu is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 35% higher here ($86,504). Start with Honolulu if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Honolulu is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 11% lower than Laredo (80 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.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Laredo
Laredo is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 43% 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.
Bottom line
Honolulu runs $1,823/month while Laredo sits at $1,030 — roughly 43% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Honolulu-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Laredo rent at $1,030/month is still below Honolulu's $1,823, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 67/100 in Honolulu and 63/100 in Laredo.
Most movers who prioritize housing cost land in Laredo; Honolulu only makes sense when your offer letter is already written for Honolulu at $86,504 income.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Honolulu when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Honolulu and Laredo, plus other cities in HI and TX.
