Columbus OH 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Laredo
255,949
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Laredo
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Laredo
37.6%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Laredo
0.5%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Laredo
0.5%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Laredo
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 255,949 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 29.7 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 25.4% | Laredo + |
| White | 53.3% | 37.6% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 0.5% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 0.5% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 95.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Laredo
$63,264
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Laredo
$24,584
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Laredo
$63,758
Laredo +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Laredo
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Laredo
20.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Laredo
21.5%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $63,264 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $24,584 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,758 | Laredo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.5% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 20.8% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 21.5% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $221,806 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 63.3% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Laredo
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Laredo
2339
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 442 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2339 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Laredo
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Laredo
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Laredo
35.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Laredo
16.2%
Laredo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 42.2% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.4% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.3% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 35.7% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.2% | Laredo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.1% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Laredo
74.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 74.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 20.2 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Laredo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Laredo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Laredo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 22.7 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while laredo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,806. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Laredo. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Laredo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, OH vs New York, NYColumbus, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, OHColumbus, OH vs Houston, TXColumbus, OH vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, OH vs Philadelphia, PA