Laredo TX vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Laredo
37.6%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Laredo
0.5%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 98,677 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 38.0 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | 7.5% | Laredo + |
| White | 37.6% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 0.5% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 8.6% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Laredo +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | $52,671 | Laredo + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.5% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $279,668 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 51.7% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
42.2%
Roanoke
41.9%
Roanoke +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
Roanoke
14.9%
Roanoke +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 41.9% | Roanoke + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.9% | Roanoke + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.4% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.7% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.2°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.2 in | 44.5 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
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, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Laredo. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roanoke scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.9%.
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