City comparison
No. Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 181 in Sacramento, and its violent crime index is 99 versus 213, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Laredo is cheaper. Median rent is $1,030 a month versus $1,779 in Sacramento.
Safety is where Sacramento and Laredo split most clearly. Laredo scores 91 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,779 in Sacramento and $1,030 in Laredo.
This is a genuine split. Sacramento 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
Sacramento and Laredo are 1,480 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,779 a month in Sacramento to $1,030 a month in Laredo, down $749 a month (42%).
Median household income goes from $87,321 in Sacramento to $63,915 in Laredo, down $23,406 (27%).
The crime index goes from 181 in Sacramento to 90 in Laredo, down 91 points (50%).
The move
Laredo and Sacramento are 1,480 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,030 a month in Laredo to $1,779 a month in Sacramento, up $749 a month (73%).
Median household income goes from $63,915 in Laredo to $87,321 in Sacramento, up $23,406 (37%).
The crime index goes from 90 in Laredo to 181 in Sacramento, up 91 points (101%).
Sacramento, 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 Sacramento and Laredo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
42% cheaper
Laredo rent is 42% cheaper than Sacramento
Sacramento
$1,779/mo
Laredo
Winner$1,030/mo
Typical rent runs $1,030 a month in Laredo versus $1,779 in Sacramento, so Laredo is 42% cheaper. That's roughly $749/month back in your pocket ($8,988/year). Over five years that's $44,940 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 Sacramento, 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
37% higher
Sacramento's median income is 37% higher than Laredo
Sacramento
Winner$87,321
Laredo
$63,915
Median household income is $87,321 in Sacramento versus $63,915 in Laredo, so typical pay runs 37% higher in Sacramento (about $23,406 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, Sacramento 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
50% lower crime
Laredo's crime index is 50% lower than Sacramento
Sacramento
181 (100 = avg)
Laredo
Winner90 (100 = avg)
Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 181 in Sacramento (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 50% 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. Sacramento can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Sacramento and Laredo are about even on typical weather.
Sacramento
66°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100
Laredo
73°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Sacramento averages about 66°F (77°F highs); Laredo averages about 73°F (81°F highs). Sacramento sits near 66°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
Sacramento is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 37% higher here ($87,321). Start with Sacramento 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 42% 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 50% lower than Sacramento (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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Laredo leads on safety (63/100 vs 42/100 in Sacramento). Typical rent is $1,030 in Laredo and $1,779 in Sacramento; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Sacramento still pays more locally ($87,321 median income vs $63,915), which can offset the lease if your field pays Sacramento rates.
Median income is $87,321 in Sacramento versus $63,915 in Laredo.
Laredo is ahead on safety (63/100 vs 42/100); Sacramento is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,779/month rent plus $87,321 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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