Laredo TX vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Laredo
37.6%
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Black
Laredo
0.5%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 117,460 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 34.3 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | 12.2% | Laredo + |
| White | 37.6% | 39.1% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 0.5% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 12.8% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Laredo +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Laredo +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | $62,789 | Laredo + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $54,550 | Laredo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 28.0% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $313,219 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 48.5% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
42.2%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Laredo +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.5% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 15.3% | North Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 19.8% | Laredo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.3% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Laredo, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 26.8 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, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Laredo. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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