Laredo TX vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Laredo
255,949
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Laredo
37.6%
Laredo +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Laredo
0.5%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Newark
37.2%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 34.8 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 37.6% | 16.5% | Laredo + |
| Black | 0.5% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 1.9% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 37.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Laredo +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
Newark
$25,509
Newark +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Laredo +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Laredo +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | $48,416 | Laredo + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | $25,509 | Newark + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 10.9% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | 24.7% | Laredo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 17.4% | Laredo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $482,675 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 24.1% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
42.2%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
Newark
14.6%
Newark +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
Newark
23.4%
Newark +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.6% | Newark + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 20.0% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 23.4% | Newark + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 18.2% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.2°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.2 in | 46.3 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Laredo. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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