Laredo TX vs Norwalk 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%
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
Norwalk
100,713
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Norwalk
36.5
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
White
Laredo
37.6%
Laredo +
Norwalk
24.0%
Black
Laredo
0.5%
Norwalk
4.2%
Norwalk +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Norwalk
69.5%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 100,713 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 36.5 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | 32.6% | Norwalk + |
| White | 37.6% | 24.0% | Laredo + |
| Black | 0.5% | 4.2% | Norwalk + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 13.8% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 69.5% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
Norwalk
$31,989
Norwalk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Norwalk
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Laredo +
Norwalk
21.3%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | $98,709 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | $31,989 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.6% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | 9.7% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 21.3% | Laredo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Norwalk
$765,319
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $765,319 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 68.1% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
Laredo +
Norwalk
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
Laredo +
Norwalk
2388
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Norwalk, 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%
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
Norwalk
12.7%
Norwalk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
Norwalk
15.4%
Norwalk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Norwalk
15.3%
Norwalk +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 26.9% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.7% | Norwalk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 16.1% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 15.4% | Norwalk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.3% | Norwalk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.5% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
Norwalk
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Norwalk, CA | 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
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
Norwalk
75.0%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norwalk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
Norwalk
32.1 min
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 32.1 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, 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 Norwalk. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
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