City comparison
No. Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 157 in San Jose, and its violent crime index is 99 versus 161, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Laredo is cheaper. Median rent is $1,030 a month versus $2,669 in San Jose.
The income gap between San Jose and Laredo is significant: $146,427 median household versus $63,915. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,669 in San Jose and $1,030 in Laredo.
This is a genuine split. San Jose 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 Jose and Laredo are 1,467 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,669 a month in San Jose to $1,030 a month in Laredo, down $1,639 a month (61%).
Median household income goes from $146,427 in San Jose to $63,915 in Laredo, down $82,512 (56%).
The crime index goes from 157 in San Jose to 90 in Laredo, down 67 points (43%).
The move
Laredo and San Jose are 1,467 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,030 a month in Laredo to $2,669 a month in San Jose, up $1,639 a month (159%).
Median household income goes from $63,915 in Laredo to $146,427 in San Jose, up $82,512 (129%).
The crime index goes from 90 in Laredo to 157 in San Jose, up 67 points (74%).
San Jose, 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 Jose and Laredo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
61% cheaper
Laredo rent is 61% cheaper than San Jose
San Jose
$2,669/mo
Laredo
Winner$1,030/mo
Typical rent runs $1,030 a month in Laredo versus $2,669 in San Jose, so Laredo is 61% cheaper. That's roughly $1,639/month back in your pocket ($19,668/year). Over five years that's $98,340 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 Jose, 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
129% higher
San Jose's median income is 129% higher than Laredo
San Jose
Winner$146,427
Laredo
$63,915
Median household income is $146,427 in San Jose versus $63,915 in Laredo, so typical pay runs 129% higher in San Jose (about $82,512 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 Jose 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 San Jose
San Jose
157 (100 = avg)
Laredo
Winner90 (100 = avg)
Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 157 in San Jose (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. San Jose can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
San Jose and Laredo are about even on typical weather.
San Jose
69°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 100/100
Laredo
73°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
San Jose averages about 69°F (80°F highs); Laredo averages about 73°F (81°F highs). San Jose sits near 69°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 Jose is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 129% higher here ($146,427). Start with San Jose 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 61% 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 San Jose (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
Housing separates these metros first: $1,030/month in Laredo versus $2,669 in San Jose. Median income reads $63,915 in Laredo and $146,427 in San Jose, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Laredo rent at $1,030/month is still below San Jose's $2,669, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 46/100 in San Jose and 63/100 in Laredo.
Laredo clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. San Jose deserves a serious look only when your $146,427 income offer in San Jose outweighs saving $1,639/month in Laredo.
Common questions
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