City Comparison
Laredo vs Fort Worth
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Laredo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Laredo
Fort Worth
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Laredo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Fort Worth.
Housing costs are a major driver: Laredo's average rent is
25% lower than Fort Worth's.
| Metric | Laredo | Fort Worth | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,525 | -25% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,035 | $2,475 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fort Worth offers 26% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fort Worth delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Laredo is estimated at
$42,000 vs $55,002 in Fort Worth.
| Metric | Laredo | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $55,002 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,143 idx | 68,421 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $79,507 |
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 | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| 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
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Fort Worth.
Laredo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Laredo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Laredo | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 41.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fort Worth is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Laredo.
From a growth perspective, Fort Worth 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 | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,205 | 1,028,117 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 2.00% |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 33.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | $139.9B |
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.
Fort Worth
Advantages
Fort Worth's population surpassed 1 million residents in 2024, making it the 11th most populous U.S. city and one of the fastest-growing in the nation.
The median household income in Fort Worth grew to $79,507 in 2024, a 3.79% increase from the previous year.
The cost of living in Fort Worth is generally lower than the national average, with reasonable utility and internet costs.
Fort Worth's job market is strong and growing, with significant expansion in professional and business services, financial activities, and trade, transportation, and utilities.
The city offers a rich cultural experience, blending its Western heritage with world-class museums and diverse entertainment options.
Drawbacks
Fort Worth is largely car-dependent, with limited public transit options and a low transit access score.
Average commute times in Fort Worth are slightly longer than the U.S. average, and traffic congestion can be significant during peak hours.
While housing remains relatively affordable compared to some major cities, its affordability has started to wane due to rapid population growth.
The city's overall walkability score is low, making it challenging to accomplish most errands on foot outside of specific neighborhoods.
The growth rate in Tarrant County, which centers on Fort Worth, slowed in 2025 compared to previous years.
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
Fort Worth
#74Texas, USA
69.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,525
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.00%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
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