Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Laredo
255,949
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Laredo
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Laredo
37.6%
Laredo +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Laredo
0.5%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Detroit +
Laredo
0.5%
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Laredo
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 255,949 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 29.7 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 25.4% | Laredo + |
| White | 11.7% | 37.6% | Laredo + |
| Black | 76.8% | 0.5% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 0.5% | Detroit + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 95.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Laredo
$63,264
Laredo +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Laredo
$24,584
Laredo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Laredo
$63,758
Laredo +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Laredo
20.8%
Laredo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Laredo
21.5%
Laredo +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $63,264 | Laredo + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $24,584 | Laredo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Laredo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.5% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 20.8% | Laredo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 21.5% | Laredo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Laredo
$221,806
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $221,806 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 63.3% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Laredo
442
Laredo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Laredo
2339
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Laredo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Laredo
42.2%
Laredo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Laredo
16.4%
Laredo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Laredo
35.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Laredo
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 42.2% | Laredo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 16.4% | Laredo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.3% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 35.7% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.2% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 13.1% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Laredo
74.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 74.2°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 20.2 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Laredo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Laredo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Laredo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 22.7 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Laredo leads in median household income at $63,264, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Laredo is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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, Laredo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
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