Irvine CA 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)
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
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
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Laredo
255,949
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Laredo
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Laredo
25.4%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Irvine +
Laredo
37.6%
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Irvine +
Laredo
0.5%
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Laredo
0.5%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Laredo
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 255,949 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 29.7 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 25.4% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 37.6% | Irvine + |
| Black | 2.0% | 0.5% | Irvine + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 0.5% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 95.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Laredo
$63,264
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Laredo
$24,584
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Laredo
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Laredo
20.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Laredo
21.5%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $63,264 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $24,584 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.5% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 20.8% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 21.5% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $221,806 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 63.3% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Laredo
442
Laredo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Laredo
2339
Laredo +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Laredo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Laredo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Laredo
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Laredo
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Laredo
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Laredo
35.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Laredo
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Laredo
13.1%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 42.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 16.4% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 17.3% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 35.7% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 13.1% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Irvine +
Laredo
74.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
Laredo
20.2 in
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 74.2°F | Irvine + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 20.2 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Irvine +
Laredo
55.0%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Irvine + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irvine
26.0 min
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 22.7 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 503 in Irvine. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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