Laredo TX vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Laredo
255,949
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Memphis
34.3
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Laredo
37.6%
Laredo +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Laredo
0.5%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
Memphis
1.7%
Memphis +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 34.3 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | 7.4% | Laredo + |
| White | 37.6% | 25.0% | Laredo + |
| Black | 0.5% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 1.7% | Memphis + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 10.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Laredo +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Laredo +
Memphis
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Laredo +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | $51,211 | Laredo + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | $32,314 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,097 | Laredo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.3% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | 22.5% | Laredo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 28.2% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 46.0% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
Laredo +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
Laredo +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 639 | Laredo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2350 | Laredo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
42.2%
Memphis
42.1%
Memphis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
Laredo +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 42.1% | Memphis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.6% | Laredo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 20.7% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 14.9% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 19.9% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.2°F | 60.9°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.2 in | 54.9 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
Memphis
22.9 min
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 22.9 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Laredo leads in median household income at $63,264, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Laredo is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Memphis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.1%.
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