City comparison
No. Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 158 in Riverside, and its violent crime index is 99 versus 163, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Laredo is cheaper. Median rent is $1,030 a month versus $1,914 in Riverside.
The cost gap between Riverside and Laredo is the real story here. Laredo comes in 46% cheaper on typical rent ($1,914 vs $1,030), which over a year adds up to $10,608. Median household income runs $91,045 in Riverside and $63,915 in Laredo.
This is a genuine split. Riverside 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
Riverside and Laredo are 1,150 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,914 a month in Riverside to $1,030 a month in Laredo, down $884 a month (46%).
Median household income goes from $91,045 in Riverside to $63,915 in Laredo, down $27,130 (30%).
The crime index goes from 158 in Riverside to 90 in Laredo, down 68 points (43%).
The move
Laredo and Riverside are 1,150 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,030 a month in Laredo to $1,914 a month in Riverside, up $884 a month (86%).
Median household income goes from $63,915 in Laredo to $91,045 in Riverside, up $27,130 (42%).
The crime index goes from 90 in Laredo to 158 in Riverside, up 68 points (76%).
Riverside, 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 Riverside and Laredo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
46% cheaper
Laredo rent is 46% cheaper than Riverside
Riverside
$1,914/mo
Laredo
Winner$1,030/mo
Typical rent runs $1,030 a month in Laredo versus $1,914 in Riverside, so Laredo is 46% cheaper. That's roughly $884/month back in your pocket ($10,608/year). Over five years that's $53,040 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 Riverside, 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
42% higher
Riverside's median income is 42% higher than Laredo
Riverside
Winner$91,045
Laredo
$63,915
Median household income is $91,045 in Riverside versus $63,915 in Laredo, so typical pay runs 42% higher in Riverside (about $27,130 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, Riverside 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
43% lower crime
Laredo's crime index is 43% lower than Riverside
Riverside
158 (100 = avg)
Laredo
Winner90 (100 = avg)
Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 158 in Riverside (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 43% 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. Riverside can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Riverside and Laredo are about even on typical weather.
Riverside
77°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100
Laredo
73°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Riverside averages about 77°F (84°F highs); Laredo averages about 73°F (81°F highs). Riverside sits near 77°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
Riverside is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 42% higher here ($91,045). Start with Riverside 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 46% 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 43% lower than Riverside (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
Riverside runs $1,914/month while Laredo sits at $1,030 — roughly 46% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Riverside-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Laredo rent at $1,030/month is still below Riverside's $1,914, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $91,045 in Riverside versus $63,915 in Laredo.
Most movers who prioritize housing cost land in Laredo; Riverside only makes sense when your offer letter is already written for Riverside at $91,045 income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Riverside and Laredo, plus other cities in CA and TX.
