Laredo TX vs Lubbock TX — 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%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Laredo
255,949
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Lubbock
30.4
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Laredo
37.6%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Laredo
0.5%
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Lubbock
36.8%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 30.4 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | 6.2% | Laredo + |
| White | 37.6% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 0.5% | 8.3% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 2.8% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 36.8% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Laredo +
Lubbock
$60,487
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Lubbock
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | $60,487 | Laredo + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | $34,629 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | 19.0% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 34.9% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
Lubbock
50.8%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 50.8% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
Lubbock
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
Lubbock
2339
Tie
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Lubbock, 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
Laredo
42.2%
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
Lubbock
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
Lubbock
18.4%
Lubbock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Laredo +
Lubbock
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 35.8% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.5% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 18.4% | Lubbock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.6% | Laredo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
Lubbock
21.1 in
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.2 in | 21.1 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
Lubbock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Lubbock, 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
Laredo
22.7 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Laredo leads in median household income at $63,264, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Lubbock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Laredo. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Lubbock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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