City comparison
No. Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 183 in San Francisco, and its violent crime index is 99 versus 156, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Laredo is cheaper. Median rent is $1,030 a month versus $2,476 in San Francisco.
The income gap between San Francisco and Laredo is significant: $140,970 median household versus $63,915. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,476 in San Francisco and $1,030 in Laredo.
This is a genuine split. San Francisco 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 Francisco and Laredo are 1,504 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,476 a month in San Francisco to $1,030 a month in Laredo, down $1,446 a month (58%).
Median household income goes from $140,970 in San Francisco to $63,915 in Laredo, down $77,055 (55%).
The crime index goes from 183 in San Francisco to 90 in Laredo, down 93 points (51%).
The move
Laredo and San Francisco are 1,504 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,030 a month in Laredo to $2,476 a month in San Francisco, up $1,446 a month (140%).
Median household income goes from $63,915 in Laredo to $140,970 in San Francisco, up $77,055 (121%).
The crime index goes from 90 in Laredo to 183 in San Francisco, up 93 points (103%).
San Francisco, 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 Francisco and Laredo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
58% cheaper
Laredo rent is 58% cheaper than San Francisco
San Francisco
$2,476/mo
Laredo
Winner$1,030/mo
Typical rent runs $1,030 a month in Laredo versus $2,476 in San Francisco, so Laredo is 58% cheaper. That's roughly $1,446/month back in your pocket ($17,352/year). Over five years that's $86,760 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 Francisco, 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
121% higher
San Francisco's median income is 121% higher than Laredo
San Francisco
Winner$140,970
Laredo
$63,915
Median household income is $140,970 in San Francisco versus $63,915 in Laredo, so typical pay runs 121% higher in San Francisco (about $77,055 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 Francisco 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
51% lower crime
Laredo's crime index is 51% lower than San Francisco
San Francisco
183 (100 = avg)
Laredo
Winner90 (100 = avg)
Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 183 in San Francisco (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 51% 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 Francisco can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
San Francisco and Laredo are about even on typical weather.
San Francisco
65°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Laredo
73°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
San Francisco averages about 65°F (73°F highs); Laredo averages about 73°F (81°F highs). San Francisco sits near 65°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 Francisco is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 121% higher here ($140,970). Start with San Francisco 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 58% 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 51% lower than San Francisco (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
San Francisco runs $2,476/month while Laredo sits at $1,030 — roughly 58% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is San Francisco-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Laredo rent at $1,030/month is still below San Francisco's $2,476, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 42/100 in San Francisco and 63/100 in Laredo.
Most movers who prioritize housing cost land in Laredo; San Francisco only makes sense when your offer letter is already written for San Francisco at $140,970 income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for San Francisco and Laredo, plus other cities in CA and TX.
