City comparison
No. Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 108 in Mesa, and its violent crime index is 99 versus 131, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Laredo is cheaper. Median rent is $1,030 a month versus $1,620 in Mesa.
The cost gap between Mesa and Laredo is the real story here. Laredo comes in 36% cheaper on typical rent ($1,620 vs $1,030), which over a year adds up to $7,080. Median household income runs $82,752 in Mesa and $63,915 in Laredo.
This is a genuine split. Mesa wins on the job market and Laredo wins on cost of living 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
Mesa and Laredo are 839 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,620 a month in Mesa to $1,030 a month in Laredo, down $590 a month (36%).
Median household income goes from $82,752 in Mesa to $63,915 in Laredo, down $18,837 (23%).
The crime index goes from 108 in Mesa to 90 in Laredo, down 18 points (17%).
The move
Laredo and Mesa are 839 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,030 a month in Laredo to $1,620 a month in Mesa, up $590 a month (57%).
Median household income goes from $63,915 in Laredo to $82,752 in Mesa, up $18,837 (29%).
The crime index goes from 90 in Laredo to 108 in Mesa, up 18 points (20%).
Mesa, AZ
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 Mesa and Laredo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
36% cheaper
Laredo rent is 36% cheaper than Mesa
Mesa
$1,620/mo
Laredo
Winner$1,030/mo
Typical rent runs $1,030 a month in Laredo versus $1,620 in Mesa, so Laredo is 36% cheaper. That's roughly $590/month back in your pocket ($7,080/year). Over five years that's $35,400 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 Mesa, 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
29% higher
Mesa's median income is 29% higher than Laredo
Mesa
Winner$82,752
Laredo
$63,915
Median household income is $82,752 in Mesa versus $63,915 in Laredo, so typical pay runs 29% higher in Mesa (about $18,837 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, Mesa 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
17% lower crime
Laredo's crime index is 17% lower than Mesa
Mesa
108 (100 = avg)
Laredo
Winner90 (100 = avg)
Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 108 in Mesa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 17% lower in Laredo. 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, Laredo is the easier city. Mesa can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Mesa and Laredo are about even on typical weather.
Mesa
79°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Laredo
73°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Mesa averages about 79°F (87°F highs); Laredo averages about 73°F (81°F highs). Mesa sits near 79°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
Mesa is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 29% higher here ($82,752). Start with Mesa if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
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 17% lower than Mesa (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.
Bottom line
Mesa runs $1,620/month while Laredo sits at $1,030 — roughly 36% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Mesa-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Laredo rent at $1,030/month is still below Mesa's $1,620, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 58/100 in Mesa and 63/100 in Laredo.
Between Mesa and Laredo, Laredo is ahead on housing cost — $1,030/month rent against $1,620. Lean Mesa instead when your $82,752 income offer in Mesa outweighs saving $590/month in Laredo.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Mesa and Laredo, plus other cities in AZ and TX.
