City comparison
No. Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 270 in Houston, and its violent crime index is 99 versus 294, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Laredo is cheaper. Median rent is $1,030 a month versus $1,361 in Houston.
Safety is where Houston and Laredo split most clearly. Laredo scores 180 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,361 in Houston and $1,030 in Laredo.
This is a genuine split. Houston 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
Houston and Laredo are 296 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,361 a month in Houston to $1,030 a month in Laredo, down $331 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $64,813 in Houston to $63,915 in Laredo, down $898 (1%).
The crime index goes from 270 in Houston to 90 in Laredo, down 180 points (67%).
The move
Laredo and Houston are 296 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,030 a month in Laredo to $1,361 a month in Houston, up $331 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $63,915 in Laredo to $64,813 in Houston, up $898 (1%).
The crime index goes from 90 in Laredo to 270 in Houston, up 180 points (200%).
Houston, 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 Houston and Laredo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
24% cheaper
Laredo rent is 24% cheaper than Houston
Houston
$1,361/mo
Laredo
Winner$1,030/mo
Typical rent runs $1,030 a month in Laredo versus $1,361 in Houston, so Laredo is 24% cheaper. That's roughly $331/month back in your pocket ($3,972/year). Over five years that's $19,860 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 Houston, 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
1% higher
Houston's median income is 1% higher than Laredo
Houston
Winner$64,813
Laredo
$63,915
Median household income is $64,813 in Houston versus $63,915 in Laredo, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Houston (about $898 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
67% lower crime
Laredo's crime index is 67% lower than Houston
Houston
270 (100 = avg)
Laredo
Winner90 (100 = avg)
Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 270 in Houston (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 67% 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. Houston can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Houston and Laredo are about even on typical weather.
Houston
70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Laredo
73°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Houston averages about 70°F (78°F highs); Laredo averages about 73°F (81°F highs). Houston sits near 70°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
Houston is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 1% higher here ($64,813). Start with Houston 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 24% 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 67% lower than Houston (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
Houston carries the heavier crime signal on this page (30/100 safety vs 63/100 in Laredo). That 33-point spread matters more than the $331 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Houston still pays more locally ($64,813 median income vs $63,915), which can offset the lease if your field pays Houston rates.
Median income is $64,813 in Houston versus $63,915 in Laredo.
If safety drives your move, Laredo is the stronger match (63/100 safety versus 30/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Houston, treat $1,361/month rent and $64,813 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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