City comparison
No. Boise's crime index is 73 versus 90 in Laredo, and its violent crime index is 85 versus 99, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Laredo is cheaper. Median rent is $1,030 a month versus $1,446 in Boise.
The income gap between Laredo and Boise is significant: $63,915 median household versus $83,904. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,030 in Laredo and $1,446 in Boise.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Laredo costs less and Boise pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
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
Laredo and Boise are 1,450 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,030 a month in Laredo to $1,446 a month in Boise, up $416 a month (40%).
Median household income goes from $63,915 in Laredo to $83,904 in Boise, up $19,989 (31%).
The crime index goes from 90 in Laredo to 73 in Boise, down 17 points (19%).
The move
Boise and Laredo are 1,450 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,446 a month in Boise to $1,030 a month in Laredo, down $416 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $83,904 in Boise to $63,915 in Laredo, down $19,989 (24%).
The crime index goes from 73 in Boise to 90 in Laredo, up 17 points (23%).
Laredo, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Boise, ID
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Laredo and Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
29% cheaper
Laredo rent is 29% cheaper than Boise
Laredo
Winner$1,030/mo
Boise
$1,446/mo
Typical rent runs $1,030 a month in Laredo versus $1,446 in Boise, so Laredo is 29% cheaper. That's roughly $416/month back in your pocket ($4,992/year). Over five years that's $24,960 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 Boise, 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
31% higher
Boise's median income is 31% higher than Laredo
Laredo
$63,915
Boise
Winner$83,904
Median household income is $83,904 in Boise versus $63,915 in Laredo, so typical pay runs 31% higher in Boise (about $19,989 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, Boise 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
19% lower crime
Boise's crime index is 19% lower than Laredo
Laredo
90 (100 = avg)
Boise
Winner73 (100 = avg)
Boise's crime index is 73 versus 90 in Laredo (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 19% lower in Boise. 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, Boise 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
12% more comfortable
Laredo weather is 12% more comfortable than Boise
Laredo
Winner73°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Boise
61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Laredo averages about 73°F (81°F highs); Boise averages about 61°F (70°F highs). Laredo sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Boise averages around 61°F. Laredo scores 12% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Boise if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Laredo is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 29% 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.
Pick Laredo if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (73°F) beat Boise on this page's weather index by 12%. Boise may pay more or cost less, but Laredo is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Boise is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 31% higher here ($83,904). Start with Boise if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Boise is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 19% lower than Laredo (73 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
On rent alone, Laredo undercuts Boise by $416/month ($1,030 vs $1,446). I would not pick Boise on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Laredo rent at $1,030/month is still below Boise's $1,446, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 63/100 in Laredo and 70/100 in Boise.
Most movers who prioritize housing cost land in Laredo; Boise only makes sense when your offer letter is already written for Boise at $83,904 income.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Laredo and Boise, plus other cities in TX and ID.
