Hartford CT 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)
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
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
Hartford
119,970
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Laredo
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
White
Hartford
26.4%
Laredo
37.6%
Laredo +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Laredo
0.5%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Laredo
0.5%
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Laredo
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 255,949 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 29.7 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 25.4% | Laredo + |
| White | 26.4% | 37.6% | Laredo + |
| Black | 36.1% | 0.5% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 0.5% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 95.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Laredo
$63,264
Laredo +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Hartford +
Laredo
$24,584
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Laredo
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Laredo
20.8%
Laredo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Laredo
21.5%
Laredo +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $63,264 | Laredo + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $24,584 | Hartford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $63,758 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 5.5% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 20.8% | Laredo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 21.5% | Laredo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Laredo
$221,806
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $221,806 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 63.3% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Laredo
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Laredo
2339
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 442 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2339 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Hartford +
Laredo
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Hartford +
Laredo
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Hartford +
Laredo
35.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Laredo
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 42.2% | Hartford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.4% | Hartford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.3% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 35.7% | Hartford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.2% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.1% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Laredo
74.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 74.2°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 20.2 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
Laredo
55.0%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 22.7 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Laredo leads in median household income at $63,264, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Laredo. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hartford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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