City comparison
No. Scottsdale's crime index is 79 versus 90 in Laredo, and its violent crime index is 48 versus 99, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Laredo is cheaper. Median rent is $1,030 a month versus $2,013 in Scottsdale.
The income gap between Laredo and Scottsdale is significant: $63,915 median household versus $110,886. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,030 in Laredo and $2,013 in Scottsdale.
This is a genuine split. Laredo wins on cost of living and Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale are 845 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,030 a month in Laredo to $2,013 a month in Scottsdale, up $983 a month (95%).
Median household income goes from $63,915 in Laredo to $110,886 in Scottsdale, up $46,971 (73%).
The crime index goes from 90 in Laredo to 79 in Scottsdale, down 11 points (12%).
The move
Scottsdale and Laredo are 845 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,013 a month in Scottsdale to $1,030 a month in Laredo, down $983 a month (49%).
Median household income goes from $110,886 in Scottsdale to $63,915 in Laredo, down $46,971 (42%).
The crime index goes from 79 in Scottsdale to 90 in Laredo, up 11 points (14%).
Laredo, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Scottsdale, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Laredo and Scottsdale? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
49% cheaper
Laredo rent is 49% cheaper than Scottsdale
Laredo
Winner$1,030/mo
Scottsdale
$2,013/mo
Typical rent runs $1,030 a month in Laredo versus $2,013 in Scottsdale, so Laredo is 49% cheaper. That's roughly $983/month back in your pocket ($11,796/year). Over five years that's $58,980 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 Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
73% higher
Scottsdale's median income is 73% higher than Laredo
Laredo
$63,915
Scottsdale
Winner$110,886
Median household income is $110,886 in Scottsdale versus $63,915 in Laredo, so typical pay runs 73% higher in Scottsdale (about $46,971 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, Scottsdale 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
12% lower crime
Scottsdale's crime index is 12% lower than Laredo
Laredo
90 (100 = avg)
Scottsdale
Winner79 (100 = avg)
Scottsdale's crime index is 79 versus 90 in Laredo (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 12% lower in Scottsdale. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale are about even on typical weather.
Laredo
73°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Scottsdale
74°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 100/100
Laredo averages about 73°F (81°F highs); Scottsdale averages about 74°F (80°F highs). Laredo sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Scottsdale sits near 74°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 49% 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
Scottsdale is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 73% higher here ($110,886). Start with Scottsdale if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Scottsdale is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 12% lower than Laredo (79 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 Scottsdale by $983/month ($1,030 vs $2,013). I would not pick Scottsdale on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Laredo rent at $1,030/month is still below Scottsdale's $2,013, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 63/100 in Laredo and 67/100 in Scottsdale.
Laredo is the default on housing cost at $1,030/month versus $2,013 in Scottsdale; Scottsdale stays in play when $110,886 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $983 lease gap.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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