Laredo TX vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Laredo
37.6%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Laredo
0.5%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
South Bend
1.7%
South Bend +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 102,866 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 33.9 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | 8.9% | Laredo + |
| White | 37.6% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 0.5% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 1.7% | South Bend + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 17.3% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Laredo +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
South Bend
$29,511
South Bend +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Laredo +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Laredo +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | $52,512 | Laredo + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | $29,511 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,697 | Laredo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.0% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | 22.6% | Laredo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 58.8% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
42.2%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
South Bend
15.2%
South Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.2% | South Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 20.3% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 18.2% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Laredo, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.2°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.2 in | 38.0 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Laredo +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Laredo, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Laredo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Laredo leads in median household income at $63,264, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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). For overall health outcomes, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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