Laredo TX vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Laredo
255,949
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Laredo
37.6%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Laredo
0.5%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 35.6 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | 19.0% | Laredo + |
| White | 37.6% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 0.5% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 26.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $376,530 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 50.2% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
42.2%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Laredo +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.4% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.7% | Laredo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
Tampa
73.4°F
Tampa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.2°F | 73.4°F | Tampa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.2 in | 46.3 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 26.8 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while laredo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,806. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Laredo. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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