City Comparison
Laredo vs Austin
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Laredo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Laredo
Austin
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Laredo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
27% lower than in Austin.
Housing costs are a major driver: Laredo's average rent is
36% lower than Austin's.
| Metric | Laredo | Austin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,800 | -36% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,035 | $2,800 | -27% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Austin offers 26% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Austin delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Laredo is estimated at
$42,000 vs $122,000 in Austin.
| Metric | Laredo | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $65,250 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $122,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,143 idx | 64,604 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $93,658 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Laredo runs warmer on average — a 77.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Laredo comes out ahead with 309 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Laredo sees 0.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Laredo | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 77.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 99.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 51.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 17.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 309 | |
| Humidity | 58.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Laredo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Austin.
Laredo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Laredo | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 41.00 | 75.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Austin is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Laredo.
From a growth perspective, Austin is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Austin has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Laredo | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,205 | 1,011,743 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.91% |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 34.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Laredo
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the US national average per Census and Zillow data.
Laredo ranks consistently as one of the safest large cities in the United States per FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data.
Positioned as the nation's largest inland port of entry, offering robust career opportunities in logistics and international trade.
Warm subtropical climate with over 300 sunny days per year per meteorological data.
Rich cultural heritage, vibrant community life, and a strong bilingual environment.
Drawbacks
Summer temperatures routinely exceed 100°F, requiring high energy consumption for air conditioning.
Average wages trail the national average due to the dominant concentration of trade and logistics roles.
Limited public transit options require high reliance on personal vehicles for daily commuting.
Lower-than-average educational attainment rates compared to major Texas metropolitan areas per ACS data.
Geographic isolation from other major US metropolitan centers, with San Antonio being the closest large city over 150 miles away.
Austin
Advantages
Austin boasts a robust job market with a 2.1% job growth rate in 2024, outperforming many other major U.S. metros.
The city has a thriving startup ecosystem, ranking #1 for startup growth and business density, with over 7,000 new businesses in 2024.
Austin offers a high quality of life, ranking 15th globally in 2024, supported by its vibrant culture and numerous outdoor activities.
Crime rates in Austin saw significant decreases in the first quarter of 2024, contributing to an improved safety profile.
Several Austin healthcare facilities, including St. David's HealthCare, were recognized among the nation's 100 Top Hospitals in 2024.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Austin is higher than the national average, primarily driven by elevated housing costs for both renters and buyers.
Austin experiences significant traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in transit, indicating high car dependency.
Despite overall high healthcare quality, some Austin-area hospitals received 'C' ratings for safety and quality standards in May 2024.
The median sale price of a home in Austin was $542,000 in May 2026, making homeownership challenging for many.
While public transit exists, Austin's city-wide Walk Score of 42 and Transit Score of 35 indicate that most errands require a car.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Laredo
#55Texas, USA
70.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
309/yr
Avg Temp
77.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
73
Business
75
Austin
#602Texas, USA
39.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,250
Cost Index
101
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.91%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
74
Business
85
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