City comparison
No. Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 106 in San Diego, and its violent crime index is 99 versus 114, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Laredo is cheaper. Median rent is $1,030 a month versus $2,313 in San Diego.
The income gap between San Diego and Laredo is significant: $108,077 median household versus $63,915. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,313 in San Diego and $1,030 in Laredo.
This is a genuine split. San Diego 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 Diego and Laredo are 1,113 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,313 a month in San Diego to $1,030 a month in Laredo, down $1,283 a month (55%).
Median household income goes from $108,077 in San Diego to $63,915 in Laredo, down $44,162 (41%).
The crime index goes from 106 in San Diego to 90 in Laredo, down 16 points (15%).
The move
Laredo and San Diego are 1,113 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,030 a month in Laredo to $2,313 a month in San Diego, up $1,283 a month (125%).
Median household income goes from $63,915 in Laredo to $108,077 in San Diego, up $44,162 (69%).
The crime index goes from 90 in Laredo to 106 in San Diego, up 16 points (18%).
San Diego, 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 San Diego and Laredo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
55% cheaper
Laredo rent is 55% cheaper than San Diego
San Diego
$2,313/mo
Laredo
Winner$1,030/mo
Typical rent runs $1,030 a month in Laredo versus $2,313 in San Diego, so Laredo is 55% cheaper. That's roughly $1,283/month back in your pocket ($15,396/year). Over five years that's $76,980 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 Diego, 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
69% higher
San Diego's median income is 69% higher than Laredo
San Diego
Winner$108,077
Laredo
$63,915
Median household income is $108,077 in San Diego versus $63,915 in Laredo, so typical pay runs 69% higher in San Diego (about $44,162 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, San Diego 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
15% lower crime
Laredo's crime index is 15% lower than San Diego
San Diego
106 (100 = avg)
Laredo
Winner90 (100 = avg)
Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 106 in San Diego (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 15% lower in Laredo. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Laredo, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in San Diego. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
San Diego and Laredo are about even on typical weather.
San Diego
74°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Laredo
73°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
San Diego averages about 74°F (78°F highs); Laredo averages about 73°F (81°F highs). San Diego sits near 74°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 Diego is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 69% higher here ($108,077). Start with San Diego 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 55% 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 15% lower than San Diego (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
On rent alone, Laredo undercuts San Diego by $1,283/month ($1,030 vs $2,313). I would not pick San Diego on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Laredo rent at $1,030/month is still below San Diego's $2,313, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 58/100 in San Diego and 63/100 in Laredo.
Between San Diego and Laredo, Laredo is ahead on housing cost — $1,030/month rent against $2,313. Lean San Diego instead when your $108,077 income offer in San Diego outweighs saving $1,283/month in Laredo.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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