Laredo TX vs Little Rock AR — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Laredo, TX
Texas · Population: 255,949
- Median HH Income$63,264
- Median Home Price$221,806
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Laredo
37.6%
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Black
Laredo
0.5%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 202,739 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 36.4 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | 7.9% | Laredo + |
| White | 37.6% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 0.5% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 10.4% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Laredo +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Laredo +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | $60,583 | Laredo + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,714 | Laredo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 54.2% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
Laredo +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
Laredo +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 660 | Laredo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2507 | Laredo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
42.2%
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 40.5% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.5% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.3% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.2°F | 62.7°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.2 in | 50.0 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Laredo +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Laredo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Laredo leads in median household income at $63,264, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Laredo is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Laredo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Little Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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