Atlanta GA vs Laredo TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Laredo, TX
Texas · Population: 255,949
- Median HH Income$63,264
- Median Home Price$221,806
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Laredo
255,949
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Laredo
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
Laredo
37.6%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Laredo
0.5%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Laredo
0.5%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Laredo
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 255,949 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 29.7 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 25.4% | Laredo + |
| White | 39.9% | 37.6% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 0.5% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 0.5% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 95.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Laredo
$63,264
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Laredo
$24,584
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Laredo
$63,758
Laredo +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Laredo
20.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Laredo
21.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $63,264 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $24,584 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | Laredo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 20.8% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 21.5% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $221,806 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 63.3% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Laredo
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Laredo
2339
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Laredo
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Laredo
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Laredo
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Laredo
35.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Laredo
16.2%
Laredo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Laredo
13.1%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 42.2% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 16.4% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.3% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 35.7% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.2% | Laredo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.1% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Laredo
74.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 74.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 20.2 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Laredo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Laredo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Laredo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 22.7 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while laredo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,806. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Laredo. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Laredo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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