Laredo TX vs Ontario 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
Ontario
21.0%
White
Laredo
37.6%
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Black
Laredo
0.5%
Ontario
1.6%
Ontario +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Ontario
40.0%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 138,723 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 36.9 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | 21.0% | Laredo + |
| White | 37.6% | 53.6% | Ontario + |
| Black | 0.5% | 1.6% | Ontario + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 40.0% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
Ontario
58.1%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $671,948 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 58.1% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
Laredo +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
Laredo +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Ontario, 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%
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
Ontario
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
Ontario
17.0%
Ontario +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 33.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.8% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 17.0% | Ontario + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.7% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
Ontario
65.5°F
Ontario +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.2°F | 65.5°F | Ontario + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.2 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 28.2 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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