Laredo TX vs Visalia CA — 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Visalia
32.0
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
Visalia
20.1%
White
Laredo
37.6%
Laredo +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Laredo
0.5%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Visalia
55.3%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 135,983 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 32.0 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | 20.1% | Laredo + |
| White | 37.6% | 36.5% | Laredo + |
| Black | 0.5% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 55.3% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
Visalia
$26,955
Visalia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Visalia
20.0%
Visalia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Laredo +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | $26,955 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 11.6% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | 20.0% | Visalia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 12.4% | Laredo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
Visalia
58.5%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $397,983 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 58.5% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
Laredo +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
Laredo +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Laredo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Laredo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
42.2%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
Visalia
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
Visalia
13.0%
Visalia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Laredo +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.9% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 13.0% | Visalia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.8% | Laredo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
Visalia
63.3°F
Visalia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.2°F | 63.3°F | Visalia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.2 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Visalia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 41.6 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while 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 503 in Visalia. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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