City comparison
Yes. Irvine's crime index is 51 versus 90 in Laredo, and its violent crime index is 24 versus 99, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Laredo is cheaper. Median rent is $1,030 a month versus $2,997 in Irvine.
The income gap between Irvine and Laredo is significant: $136,719 median household versus $63,915. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,997 in Irvine and $1,030 in Laredo.
This is a genuine split. Irvine 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
Irvine and Laredo are 1,168 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,997 a month in Irvine to $1,030 a month in Laredo, down $1,967 a month (66%).
Median household income goes from $136,719 in Irvine to $63,915 in Laredo, down $72,804 (53%).
The crime index goes from 51 in Irvine to 90 in Laredo, up 39 points (76%).
The move
Laredo and Irvine are 1,168 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,030 a month in Laredo to $2,997 a month in Irvine, up $1,967 a month (191%).
Median household income goes from $63,915 in Laredo to $136,719 in Irvine, up $72,804 (114%).
The crime index goes from 90 in Laredo to 51 in Irvine, down 39 points (43%).
Irvine, 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 Irvine and Laredo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
66% cheaper
Laredo rent is 66% cheaper than Irvine
Irvine
$2,997/mo
Laredo
Winner$1,030/mo
Typical rent runs $1,030 a month in Laredo versus $2,997 in Irvine, so Laredo is 66% cheaper. That's roughly $1,967/month back in your pocket ($23,604/year). Over five years that's $118,020 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 Irvine, 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 Irvine? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
114% higher
Irvine's median income is 114% higher than Laredo
Irvine
Winner$136,719
Laredo
$63,915
Median household income is $136,719 in Irvine versus $63,915 in Laredo, so typical pay runs 114% higher in Irvine (about $72,804 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, Irvine 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
43% lower crime
Irvine's crime index is 43% lower than Laredo
Irvine
Winner51 (100 = avg)
Laredo
90 (100 = avg)
Irvine's crime index is 51 versus 90 in Laredo (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 43% lower in Irvine. 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, Irvine is the easier city. Laredo can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Irvine and Laredo are about even on typical weather.
Irvine
76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Laredo
73°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Irvine averages about 76°F (83°F highs); Laredo averages about 73°F (81°F highs). Irvine 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
Irvine is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 114% higher here ($136,719). Start with Irvine if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Irvine is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 43% lower than Laredo (51 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 66% 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
Irvine runs $2,997/month while Laredo sits at $1,030 — roughly 66% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Irvine-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Laredo rent at $1,030/month is still below Irvine's $2,997, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 80/100 in Irvine and 63/100 in Laredo.
Most movers who prioritize housing cost land in Laredo; Irvine only makes sense when your offer letter is already written for Irvine at $136,719 income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Irvine and Laredo, plus other cities in CA and TX.
