City comparison
No. Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 107 in Santa Ana, and its violent crime index is 99 versus 121, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Laredo is cheaper. Median rent is $1,030 a month versus $2,082 in Santa Ana.
The cost gap between Santa Ana and Laredo is the real story here. Laredo comes in 51% cheaper on typical rent ($2,082 vs $1,030), which over a year adds up to $12,624. Median household income runs $93,999 in Santa Ana and $63,915 in Laredo.
This is a genuine split. Santa Ana 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
Santa Ana and Laredo are 1,171 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,082 a month in Santa Ana to $1,030 a month in Laredo, down $1,052 a month (51%).
Median household income goes from $93,999 in Santa Ana to $63,915 in Laredo, down $30,084 (32%).
The crime index goes from 107 in Santa Ana to 90 in Laredo, down 17 points (16%).
The move
Laredo and Santa Ana are 1,171 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,030 a month in Laredo to $2,082 a month in Santa Ana, up $1,052 a month (102%).
Median household income goes from $63,915 in Laredo to $93,999 in Santa Ana, up $30,084 (47%).
The crime index goes from 90 in Laredo to 107 in Santa Ana, up 17 points (19%).
Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana and Laredo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
51% cheaper
Laredo rent is 51% cheaper than Santa Ana
Santa Ana
$2,082/mo
Laredo
Winner$1,030/mo
Typical rent runs $1,030 a month in Laredo versus $2,082 in Santa Ana, so Laredo is 51% cheaper. That's roughly $1,052/month back in your pocket ($12,624/year). Over five years that's $63,120 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 Santa Ana, 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
47% higher
Santa Ana's median income is 47% higher than Laredo
Santa Ana
Winner$93,999
Laredo
$63,915
Median household income is $93,999 in Santa Ana versus $63,915 in Laredo, so typical pay runs 47% higher in Santa Ana (about $30,084 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, Santa Ana 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
16% lower crime
Laredo's crime index is 16% lower than Santa Ana
Santa Ana
107 (100 = avg)
Laredo
Winner90 (100 = avg)
Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 107 in Santa Ana (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 16% 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. Santa Ana can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Santa Ana and Laredo are about even on typical weather.
Santa Ana
72°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Laredo
73°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Santa Ana averages about 72°F (78°F highs); Laredo averages about 73°F (81°F highs). Santa Ana 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
Santa Ana is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 47% higher here ($93,999). Start with Santa Ana 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 51% 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 16% lower than Santa Ana (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
Rent is the clearest fork: Laredo at $1,030/month versus $2,082 in Santa Ana ($1,052 apart). Santa Ana median income is $93,999 against $63,915 in Laredo, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Laredo rent at $1,030/month is still below Santa Ana's $2,082, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 58/100 in Santa Ana and 63/100 in Laredo.
Pick Laredo when shaving $1,052 off rent at $1,030/month is the priority. Otherwise, Santa Ana's case rests on $2,082/month rent with $93,999 local income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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