Garland 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)
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
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
Garland
245,298
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Laredo
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Laredo
25.4%
White
Garland
37.5%
Laredo
37.6%
Laredo +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Laredo
0.5%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Laredo
0.5%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Laredo
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 255,949 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 29.7 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 25.4% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 37.6% | Laredo + |
| Black | 15.3% | 0.5% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 0.5% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 95.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Laredo
$63,264
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Garland +
Laredo
$24,584
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Laredo
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Laredo
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Laredo
20.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Garland +
Laredo
21.5%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $63,264 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $24,584 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.5% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 20.8% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 21.5% | Garland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $221,806 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 63.3% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Laredo
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Laredo
2339
Tie
| Metric | Garland, 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
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Laredo
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
Laredo
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Laredo
17.3%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Garland +
Laredo
35.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Laredo
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Laredo
13.1%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 42.2% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.4% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.3% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 35.7% | Garland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.2% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.1% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Garland +
Laredo
74.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 74.2°F | Garland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 20.2 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Laredo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, 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
Garland
32.5 min
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 22.7 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, 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 Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Laredo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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