Fort Worth 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)
Fort Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
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
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Laredo
255,949
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Laredo
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Fort Worth +
Laredo
37.6%
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
Laredo
0.5%
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Fort Worth +
Laredo
0.5%
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Laredo
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 255,949 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 29.7 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 25.4% | Laredo + |
| White | 47.7% | 37.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Black | 19.5% | 0.5% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 0.5% | Fort Worth + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 95.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Fort Worth +
Laredo
$63,264
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Fort Worth +
Laredo
$24,584
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Laredo
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Laredo
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Laredo
20.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Fort Worth +
Laredo
21.5%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | $63,264 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | $24,584 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.5% | Fort Worth + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 20.8% | Fort Worth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 21.5% | Fort Worth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $221,806 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | 63.3% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Laredo
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Laredo
2339
Tie
| Metric | Fort Worth, 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
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Laredo
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Fort Worth +
Laredo
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Fort Worth +
Laredo
35.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Laredo
16.2%
Laredo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 42.2% | Fort Worth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.4% | Fort Worth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.3% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 35.7% | Fort Worth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.2% | Laredo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.1% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Fort Worth +
Laredo
74.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.8°F | 74.2°F | Fort Worth + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 20.2 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Laredo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Worth, 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
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 22.7 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Worth leads in median household income at $76,602, 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 Fort Worth. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Laredo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Worth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Worth, TX vs New York, NYFort Worth, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Worth, TXFort Worth, TX vs Houston, TXFort Worth, TX vs Phoenix, AZFort Worth, TX vs Philadelphia, PA