Laredo TX vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
Palmdale
17.2%
White
Laredo
37.6%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Laredo
0.5%
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Palmdale
24.3%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 44,998 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 57.8 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | 17.2% | Laredo + |
| White | 37.6% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 0.5% | 5.4% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 24.3% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.2% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $503,393 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
Laredo +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
Laredo +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Palmdale, 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%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
Palmdale
15.7%
Palmdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Palmdale
13.1%
Tie
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.6% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 15.7% | Palmdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.1% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
Palmdale
63.5°F
Palmdale +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.2°F | 63.5°F | Palmdale + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.2 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
Palmdale
24.1 min
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 24.1 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 Palmdale. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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