Laredo TX vs Seattle WA — 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%

Seattle, WA

Washington · Population: 741,440

  • Median HH Income$121,984
  • Median Home Price$871,599
  • Unemployment4.2%
  • Bachelor's+67.5%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Laredo
255,949
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Laredo
37.6%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Laredo
0.5%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
Seattle
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
Seattle
44.3%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
Laredo +
Seattle
3409

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
42.2%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Laredo +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
Seattle
37.5 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
Seattle
28.8 min

Which City is Right for You?

Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while laredo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,806. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Laredo. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.

Compare More Cities

About Laredo & Seattle