City Comparison
Laredo vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Laredo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Laredo
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Laredo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Laredo's average rent is
19% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | Laredo | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,412 | -19% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $281 | -38% |
| Transport | $110 | $126 | -13% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $135 | +63% |
| Monthly Total | $2,035 | $2,404 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 21% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dallas delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Laredo is estimated at
$42,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Laredo | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,143 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $70,518 |
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 | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Laredo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
Dallas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dallas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Laredo | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 41.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Laredo.
From a growth perspective, Laredo 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 | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,205 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.30% |
| 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.
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
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
Dallas
#525Texas, USA
50.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
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