Laredo TX vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Laredo
255,949
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Sparks
N/A
White
Laredo
37.6%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Laredo
0.5%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 37.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 0.5% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 0.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Laredo +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $62,696 | Laredo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $530,668 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
Laredo +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
Laredo +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 460 | Laredo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2417 | Laredo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
42.2%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
Sparks
13.8%
Sparks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Laredo +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.1% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 13.8% | Sparks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.7% | Laredo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.2°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.2 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Sparks +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sparks + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Laredo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,806. On public safety, Laredo is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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