City comparison
No. Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 212 in San Antonio, and its violent crime index is 99 versus 164, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Laredo is cheaper. Median rent is $1,030 a month versus $1,324 in San Antonio.
Safety is where San Antonio and Laredo split most clearly. Laredo scores 122 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,324 in San Antonio and $1,030 in Laredo.
This is a genuine split. San Antonio 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
San Antonio and Laredo are 146 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,324 a month in San Antonio to $1,030 a month in Laredo, down $294 a month (22%).
Median household income goes from $65,056 in San Antonio to $63,915 in Laredo, down $1,141 (2%).
The crime index goes from 212 in San Antonio to 90 in Laredo, down 122 points (58%).
The move
Laredo and San Antonio are 146 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,030 a month in Laredo to $1,324 a month in San Antonio, up $294 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $63,915 in Laredo to $65,056 in San Antonio, up $1,141 (2%).
The crime index goes from 90 in Laredo to 212 in San Antonio, up 122 points (136%).
San Antonio, TX
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 San Antonio and Laredo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
22% cheaper
Laredo rent is 22% cheaper than San Antonio
San Antonio
$1,324/mo
Laredo
Winner$1,030/mo
Typical rent runs $1,030 a month in Laredo versus $1,324 in San Antonio, so Laredo is 22% cheaper. That's roughly $294/month back in your pocket ($3,528/year). Over five years that's $17,640 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 San Antonio, 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
2% higher
San Antonio's median income is 2% higher than Laredo
San Antonio
Winner$65,056
Laredo
$63,915
Median household income is $65,056 in San Antonio versus $63,915 in Laredo, so typical pay runs 2% higher in San Antonio (about $1,141 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
58% lower crime
Laredo's crime index is 58% lower than San Antonio
San Antonio
212 (100 = avg)
Laredo
Winner90 (100 = avg)
Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 212 in San Antonio (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 58% 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. San Antonio can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
San Antonio and Laredo are about even on typical weather.
San Antonio
72°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
Laredo
73°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
San Antonio averages about 72°F (82°F highs); Laredo averages about 73°F (81°F highs). San Antonio sits near 72°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
San Antonio is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 2% higher here ($65,056). Start with San Antonio 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 22% 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 58% lower than San Antonio (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 37/100 in San Antonio). Typical rent is $1,030 in Laredo and $1,324 in San Antonio; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
San Antonio still pays more locally ($65,056 median income vs $63,915), which can offset the lease if your field pays San Antonio rates.
Median income is $65,056 in San Antonio versus $63,915 in Laredo.
Between San Antonio and Laredo, Laredo is ahead on safety — 63/100 safety versus 37/100. Lean San Antonio instead when you already know the San Antonio block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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