Dallas TX 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Laredo
255,949
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Laredo
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
White
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Laredo
37.6%
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Laredo
0.5%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Laredo
0.5%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Laredo
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 255,949 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 29.7 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 25.4% | Laredo + |
| White | 41.9% | 37.6% | Dallas + |
| Black | 23.7% | 0.5% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 0.5% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 95.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Laredo
$63,264
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Laredo
$24,584
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Laredo
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Laredo
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Laredo
20.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Laredo
21.5%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $63,264 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $24,584 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.5% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 20.8% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 21.5% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $221,806 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 63.3% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Laredo
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Laredo
2339
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Dallas +
Laredo
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Laredo
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Dallas +
Laredo
35.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Laredo
16.2%
Laredo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
Laredo
13.1%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 42.2% | Dallas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.4% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.3% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 35.7% | Dallas + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.2% | Laredo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.1% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Dallas +
Laredo
74.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 74.2°F | Dallas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 20.2 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Laredo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 22.7 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while laredo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,806. On public safety, Laredo is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Laredo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dallas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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