Laredo TX vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
Salem
12.2%
White
Laredo
37.6%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Laredo
0.5%
Salem
1.6%
Salem +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 176,666 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 35.7 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | 12.2% | Laredo + |
| White | 37.6% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 0.5% | 1.6% | Salem + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 23.4% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Laredo +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,691 | Laredo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $438,754 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 55.7% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
Laredo +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3001 | Laredo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
42.2%
Salem
41.4%
Salem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Salem
16.2%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 41.4% | Salem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.8% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.2% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.2°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.2 in | 39.7 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 24.5 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while laredo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,806. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Laredo. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.4%.
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