Laredo TX vs Modesto 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
Modesto
218,614
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
Modesto
18.7%
White
Laredo
37.6%
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Black
Laredo
0.5%
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Modesto
43.9%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 218,614 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 35.4 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | 18.7% | Laredo + |
| White | 37.6% | 50.8% | Modesto + |
| Black | 0.5% | 4.7% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 43.9% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Laredo +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | $34,656 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.3% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 20.3% | Laredo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
Modesto
58.4%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $447,353 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 58.4% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
Laredo +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
Laredo +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Modesto, 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%
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Laredo +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
Modesto
13.7%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 36.2% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 19.0% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.5% | Laredo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.7% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.2°F | 63.7°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.2 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 30.5 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, 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 Modesto. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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