Laredo TX vs Milwaukee WI — 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Laredo
255,949
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Milwaukee
32.2
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Laredo
37.6%
Laredo +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Laredo
0.5%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Milwaukee
20.7%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 32.2 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | 10.8% | Laredo + |
| White | 37.6% | 36.5% | Laredo + |
| Black | 0.5% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 20.7% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Laredo +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
Milwaukee
$29,679
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Laredo +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Laredo +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | $51,888 | Laredo + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | $29,679 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,837 | Laredo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | 23.3% | Laredo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 26.6% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Milwaukee
$226,456
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $226,456 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 41.5% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
42.2%
Milwaukee
41.8%
Milwaukee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
Milwaukee
14.7%
Milwaukee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Laredo +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 41.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 19.1% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 14.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.3% | Laredo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.3% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
Milwaukee
35.5 in
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.2°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.2 in | 35.5 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Laredo +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Laredo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 24.1 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Laredo leads in median household income at $63,264, while laredo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,806. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Laredo. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Laredo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Milwaukee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.8%.
Compare More Cities
Laredo, TX vs New York, NYLaredo, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Laredo, TXHouston, TX vs Laredo, TXLaredo, TX vs Phoenix, AZLaredo, TX vs Philadelphia, PA