City comparison
No. Garland's crime index is 87 versus 90 in Laredo, and its violent crime index is 62 versus 99, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Laredo is cheaper. Median rent is $1,030 a month versus $1,641 in Garland.
The cost gap between Laredo and Garland is the real story here. Laredo comes in 37% cheaper on typical rent ($1,030 vs $1,641), which over a year adds up to $7,332. Median household income runs $63,915 in Laredo and $76,320 in Garland.
This is a genuine split. Laredo wins on cost of living and Garland wins on the job market 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
Laredo and Garland are 411 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,030 a month in Laredo to $1,641 a month in Garland, up $611 a month (59%).
Median household income goes from $63,915 in Laredo to $76,320 in Garland, up $12,405 (19%).
The crime index goes from 90 in Laredo to 87 in Garland, down 3 points (3%).
The move
Garland and Laredo are 411 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,641 a month in Garland to $1,030 a month in Laredo, down $611 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $76,320 in Garland to $63,915 in Laredo, down $12,405 (16%).
The crime index goes from 87 in Garland to 90 in Laredo, up 3 points (3%).
Laredo, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Garland, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Laredo and Garland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
37% cheaper
Laredo rent is 37% cheaper than Garland
Laredo
Winner$1,030/mo
Garland
$1,641/mo
Typical rent runs $1,030 a month in Laredo versus $1,641 in Garland, so Laredo is 37% cheaper. That's roughly $611/month back in your pocket ($7,332/year). Over five years that's $36,660 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 Garland, 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 Garland? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
19% higher
Garland's median income is 19% higher than Laredo
Laredo
$63,915
Garland
Winner$76,320
Median household income is $76,320 in Garland versus $63,915 in Laredo, so typical pay runs 19% higher in Garland (about $12,405 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, Garland 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
3% lower crime
Garland's crime index is 3% lower than Laredo
Laredo
90 (100 = avg)
Garland
Winner87 (100 = avg)
Garland's crime index is 87 versus 90 in Laredo (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 3% lower in Garland. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Garland, 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
Laredo and Garland are about even on typical weather.
Laredo
73°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Garland
66°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Laredo averages about 73°F (81°F highs); Garland averages about 66°F (73°F highs). Laredo sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Garland sits near 66°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
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 37% 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.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Garland is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 19% higher here ($76,320). Start with Garland if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Garland is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 3% lower than Laredo (87 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
Garland runs $1,641/month while Laredo sits at $1,030 — roughly 37% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Garland-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Laredo rent at $1,030/month is still below Garland's $1,641, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 63/100 in Laredo and 64/100 in Garland.
Laredo is the default on housing cost at $1,030/month versus $1,641 in Garland; Garland stays in play when $76,320 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $611 lease gap.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Laredo and Garland, plus other cities in TX.
