City comparison
Yes. Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 99 in Irving, and its violent crime index is 99 versus 78, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Laredo is cheaper. Median rent is $1,030 a month versus $1,619 in Irving.
The cost gap between Laredo and Irving is the real story here. Laredo comes in 36% cheaper on typical rent ($1,030 vs $1,619), which over a year adds up to $7,068. Median household income runs $63,915 in Laredo and $81,830 in Irving.
This is a genuine split. Laredo wins on cost of living and safety and Irving wins on the job market. 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 Irving are 397 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,030 a month in Laredo to $1,619 a month in Irving, up $589 a month (57%).
Median household income goes from $63,915 in Laredo to $81,830 in Irving, up $17,915 (28%).
The crime index goes from 90 in Laredo to 99 in Irving, up 9 points (10%).
The move
Irving and Laredo are 397 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,619 a month in Irving to $1,030 a month in Laredo, down $589 a month (36%).
Median household income goes from $81,830 in Irving to $63,915 in Laredo, down $17,915 (22%).
The crime index goes from 99 in Irving to 90 in Laredo, down 9 points (9%).
Laredo, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Irving, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Laredo and Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
36% cheaper
Laredo rent is 36% cheaper than Irving
Laredo
Winner$1,030/mo
Irving
$1,619/mo
Typical rent runs $1,030 a month in Laredo versus $1,619 in Irving, so Laredo is 36% cheaper. That's roughly $589/month back in your pocket ($7,068/year). Over five years that's $35,340 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 Irving, 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
28% higher
Irving's median income is 28% higher than Laredo
Laredo
$63,915
Irving
Winner$81,830
Median household income is $81,830 in Irving versus $63,915 in Laredo, so typical pay runs 28% higher in Irving (about $17,915 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, Irving 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
9% lower crime
Laredo's crime index is 9% lower than Irving
Laredo
Winner90 (100 = avg)
Irving
99 (100 = avg)
Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 99 in Irving (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 9% lower in Laredo. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Laredo, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Irving. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Laredo and Irving are about even on typical weather.
Laredo
73°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Irving
70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Laredo averages about 73°F (81°F highs); Irving averages about 70°F (78°F highs). Laredo sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Irving sits near 70°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
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 36% 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 9% lower than Irving (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.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Irving is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 28% higher here ($81,830). Start with Irving if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
On rent alone, Laredo undercuts Irving by $589/month ($1,030 vs $1,619). I would not pick Irving on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Laredo rent at $1,030/month is still below Irving's $1,619, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 63/100 in Laredo and 60/100 in Irving.
Laredo is the default on housing cost at $1,030/month versus $1,619 in Irving; Irving stays in play when $81,830 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $589 lease gap.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Laredo and Irving, plus other cities in TX.
