Laredo TX vs Paterson 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Laredo
255,949
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Paterson
N/A
White
Laredo
37.6%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Laredo
0.5%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 37.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 0.5% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 0.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $527,542 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
42.2%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
Paterson
16.1%
Paterson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
Paterson
28.6%
Paterson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.1% | Paterson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.6% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 28.6% | Paterson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.4% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Paterson, NJ | 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
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Laredo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,806. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Laredo. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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