Laredo TX vs Long Beach CA — 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%
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Laredo
255,949
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Long Beach
36.8
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
Long Beach
24.7%
White
Laredo
37.6%
Long Beach
41.6%
Long Beach +
Black
Laredo
0.5%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Long Beach
43.4%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 458,491 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 36.8 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | 24.7% | Laredo + |
| White | 37.6% | 41.6% | Long Beach + |
| Black | 0.5% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 12.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 43.4% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Long Beach
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | $83,969 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | $42,370 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.5% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | 15.0% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 34.8% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Long Beach
$862,599
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
Long Beach
40.9%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $862,599 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 40.9% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
Laredo +
Long Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
Laredo +
Long Beach
2388
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Laredo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Laredo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
42.2%
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
Long Beach
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 27.4% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.7% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.5% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.7% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
Long Beach
64.7°F
Long Beach +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.2°F | 64.7°F | Long Beach + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.2 in | 12.3 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
Long Beach
75.0%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Long Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
Long Beach
32.6 min
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 32.6 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, 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 Long Beach. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Long Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
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