Laredo TX vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Laredo
255,949
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Laredo
37.6%
Laredo +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Laredo
0.5%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 35.1 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | 14.6% | Laredo + |
| White | 37.6% | 36.1% | Laredo + |
| Black | 0.5% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 15.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Laredo +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Laredo +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | $60,698 | Laredo + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.4% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | 22.0% | Laredo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $233,814 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 52.3% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
42.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.2°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.2 in | 48.5 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Laredo +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Laredo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 34.5 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, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Laredo. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Laredo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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