Laredo TX vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Laredo
255,949
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Laredo
37.6%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Laredo
0.5%
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 39.3 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 37.6% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 0.5% | 9.0% | Plano + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 16.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Plano
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $507,575 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 56.6% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
Plano
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
Plano
2339
Tie
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
42.2%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Laredo +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.4% | Laredo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Plano, TX | 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
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
Plano
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 27.6 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while laredo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,806. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Laredo. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Plano has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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