City Comparison
Laredo vs Houston
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Laredo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Laredo
Houston
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Laredo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
37% lower than in Houston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Laredo's average rent is
36% lower than Houston's.
| Metric | Laredo | Houston | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,800 | -36% |
| Groceries | $380 | $682 | -44% |
| Utilities | $175 | $253 | -31% |
| Transport | $110 | $348 | -68% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $141 | +56% |
| Monthly Total | $2,035 | $3,224 | -37% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Houston offers 36% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Houston delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Laredo is estimated at
$42,000 vs $69,000 in Houston.
| Metric | Laredo | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $75,200 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $69,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,143 idx | 80,860 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $97,458 |
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 | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Laredo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Houston.
Laredo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Houston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Laredo | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 36.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 41.00 | 180.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Houston is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Laredo.
From a growth perspective, Houston is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Laredo has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Laredo | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,205 | 2,319,119 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 1.60% |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.20% |
| 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.
Houston
Advantages
The cost of living in Houston is 6% lower than the national average, making it a budget-friendly major city.
Houston's job market is projected to add 75,000 new jobs in 2025, with strong growth in healthcare, energy, and professional services.
Violent crime rates in Houston saw significant declines between 2024 and 2025, with homicides dropping by 17%.
The city is a major hub for healthcare, home to the Texas Medical Center, offering high-quality medical services.
Houston exhibits a strong entrepreneurial climate, with a 92% rise in small business account applications from 2024 to 2025.
Drawbacks
Houston's overall crime rate remains high compared to many other U.S. communities, with a 1 in 17 chance of being a victim of violent or property crime in 2024.
Summers in Houston are characterized by oppressive heat and high humidity, with average daily highs above 89°F from June to September.
The city experiences significant traffic congestion, leading to a high car dependency and an average commute time of 28 minutes.
Houston's walkability and transit scores are relatively low, making it challenging to get around without a car.
While the metro area is growing, population growth within the city of Houston itself slowed significantly in 2025.
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
Houston
#287Texas, USA
61.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$75,200
Cost Index
93
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
36.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.60%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
68
Business
72
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