El Paso 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Laredo
255,949
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Laredo
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
White
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
Laredo
37.6%
Black
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Laredo
0.5%
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
El Paso +
Laredo
0.5%
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Laredo
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 255,949 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 29.7 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 25.4% | Laredo + |
| White | 39.3% | 37.6% | El Paso + |
| Black | 3.6% | 0.5% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 0.5% | El Paso + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 95.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Laredo
$63,264
Laredo +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
El Paso +
Laredo
$24,584
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Laredo
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Laredo
20.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
El Paso +
Laredo
21.5%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $63,264 | Laredo + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $24,584 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.5% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 20.8% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 21.5% | El Paso + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $221,806 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 63.3% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Laredo
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Laredo
2339
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Laredo
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Laredo
16.4%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Laredo
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
El Paso +
Laredo
35.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Laredo
16.2%
Laredo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Laredo
13.1%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 42.2% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.4% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.3% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 35.7% | El Paso + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.2% | Laredo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.1% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
El Paso +
Laredo
74.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Laredo
20.2 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 74.2°F | El Paso + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 20.2 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Laredo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
25.1 min
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 22.7 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Laredo leads in median household income at $63,264, 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 El Paso. 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, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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