Laredo TX vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Laredo
37.6%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Laredo
0.5%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 220,482 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 37.3 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | 12.2% | Laredo + |
| White | 37.6% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 0.5% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 13.1% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $496,966 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 56.5% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
Laredo +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Laredo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
42.2%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Laredo +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.7% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.8% | Laredo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.2°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.2 in | 39.2 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 31.1 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while laredo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,806. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Laredo. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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