City comparison
No. Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 93 in Tampa, and its violent crime index is 99 versus 112, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Laredo is cheaper. Median rent is $1,030 a month versus $1,701 in Tampa.
The cost gap between Tampa and Laredo is the real story here. Laredo comes in 39% cheaper on typical rent ($1,701 vs $1,030), which over a year adds up to $8,052. Median household income runs $75,475 in Tampa and $63,915 in Laredo.
This is a genuine split. Tampa 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
Tampa and Laredo are 1,042 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,701 a month in Tampa to $1,030 a month in Laredo, down $671 a month (39%).
Median household income goes from $75,475 in Tampa to $63,915 in Laredo, down $11,560 (15%).
The crime index goes from 93 in Tampa to 90 in Laredo, down 3 points (3%).
The move
Laredo and Tampa are 1,042 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,030 a month in Laredo to $1,701 a month in Tampa, up $671 a month (65%).
Median household income goes from $63,915 in Laredo to $75,475 in Tampa, up $11,560 (18%).
The crime index goes from 90 in Laredo to 93 in Tampa, up 3 points (3%).
Tampa, FL
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 Tampa and Laredo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
39% cheaper
Laredo rent is 39% cheaper than Tampa
Tampa
$1,701/mo
Laredo
Winner$1,030/mo
Typical rent runs $1,030 a month in Laredo versus $1,701 in Tampa, so Laredo is 39% cheaper. That's roughly $671/month back in your pocket ($8,052/year). Over five years that's $40,260 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 Tampa, 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
18% higher
Tampa's median income is 18% higher than Laredo
Tampa
Winner$75,475
Laredo
$63,915
Median household income is $75,475 in Tampa versus $63,915 in Laredo, so typical pay runs 18% higher in Tampa (about $11,560 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, Tampa 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
3% lower crime
Laredo's crime index is 3% lower than Tampa
Tampa
93 (100 = avg)
Laredo
Winner90 (100 = avg)
Laredo's crime index is 90 versus 93 in Tampa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 3% 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 Tampa. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Tampa and Laredo are about even on typical weather.
Tampa
75°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Laredo
73°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tampa averages about 75°F (83°F highs); Laredo averages about 73°F (81°F highs). Tampa sits near 75°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
Tampa is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 18% higher here ($75,475). Start with Tampa 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 39% 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 3% lower than Tampa (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 Tampa by $671/month ($1,030 vs $1,701). I would not pick Tampa on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Laredo rent at $1,030/month is still below Tampa's $1,701, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 62/100 in Tampa and 63/100 in Laredo.
Laredo is the default on housing cost at $1,030/month versus $1,701 in Tampa; Tampa stays in play when $75,475 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $671 lease gap.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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