City comparison
No. Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 434 in Oakland, and its violent crime index is 99 versus 491, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Laredo is cheaper. Median rent is $1,030 a month versus $1,979 in Oakland.
Safety is where Oakland and Laredo split most clearly. Laredo scores 344 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,979 in Oakland and $1,030 in Laredo.
This is a genuine split. Oakland 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
Oakland and Laredo are 1,497 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,979 a month in Oakland to $1,030 a month in Laredo, down $949 a month (48%).
Median household income goes from $101,600 in Oakland to $63,915 in Laredo, down $37,685 (37%).
The crime index goes from 434 in Oakland to 90 in Laredo, down 344 points (79%).
The move
Laredo and Oakland are 1,497 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,030 a month in Laredo to $1,979 a month in Oakland, up $949 a month (92%).
Median household income goes from $63,915 in Laredo to $101,600 in Oakland, up $37,685 (59%).
The crime index goes from 90 in Laredo to 434 in Oakland, up 344 points (382%).
Oakland, CA
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 Oakland and Laredo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
48% cheaper
Laredo rent is 48% cheaper than Oakland
Oakland
$1,979/mo
Laredo
Winner$1,030/mo
Typical rent runs $1,030 a month in Laredo versus $1,979 in Oakland, so Laredo is 48% cheaper. That's roughly $949/month back in your pocket ($11,388/year). Over five years that's $56,940 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 Oakland, 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
59% higher
Oakland's median income is 59% higher than Laredo
Oakland
Winner$101,600
Laredo
$63,915
Median household income is $101,600 in Oakland versus $63,915 in Laredo, so typical pay runs 59% higher in Oakland (about $37,685 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, Oakland 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
79% lower crime
Laredo's crime index is 79% lower than Oakland
Oakland
434 (100 = avg)
Laredo
Winner90 (100 = avg)
Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 434 in Oakland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 79% 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. Oakland can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Oakland and Laredo are about even on typical weather.
Oakland
68°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 100/100
Laredo
73°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Oakland averages about 68°F (80°F highs); Laredo averages about 73°F (81°F highs). Oakland sits near 68°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
Oakland is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 59% higher here ($101,600). Start with Oakland 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 48% 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 79% lower than Oakland (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
Crime and safety tilt toward Laredo: Laredo scores 63/100 versus 15/100 in Oakland, with typical rent at $1,030 versus $1,979. I would vet the exact ZIP in Oakland before trading 48 safety points for housing savings.
Oakland still pays more locally ($101,600 median income vs $63,915), which can offset the lease if your field pays Oakland rates.
Median income is $101,600 in Oakland versus $63,915 in Laredo.
If safety drives your move, Laredo is the stronger match (63/100 safety versus 15/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Oakland, treat $1,979/month rent and $101,600 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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