Laredo TX vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Laredo
37.6%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Laredo
0.5%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Winston-Salem +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 118,578 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 37.5 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | 5.7% | Laredo + |
| White | 37.6% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 0.5% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 1.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 8.9% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Laredo +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Laredo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $265,013 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 46.8% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
42.2%
Laredo +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 42.7% | Laredo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.4% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.4% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while laredo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,806. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Laredo. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Laredo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
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