Laredo TX vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
New Bedford
20.7%
White
Laredo
37.6%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Laredo
0.5%
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
New Bedford
1.5%
New Bedford +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
New Bedford
24.5%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 100,731 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 37.0 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | 20.7% | Laredo + |
| White | 37.6% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 0.5% | 6.0% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 1.5% | New Bedford + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 24.5% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Laredo +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
New Bedford
$30,475
New Bedford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Laredo +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | $56,025 | Laredo + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | $30,475 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.6% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | 19.9% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 16.8% | Laredo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $439,767 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 40.0% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
42.2%
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 36.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.2% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 22.0% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 21.4% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Laredo, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.2°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.2 in | 51.9 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Laredo, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 27.2 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, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Laredo. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Bedford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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