City Comparison
Laredo vs Las Cruces
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Laredo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Laredo
Las Cruces
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Las Cruces is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Laredo.
| Metric | Laredo | Las Cruces | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,068 | +8% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $198 | -12% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,035 | $1,986 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Las Cruces offers 9% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Las Cruces delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Laredo is estimated at
$42,000 vs $64,000 in Las Cruces.
| Metric | Laredo | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $52,790 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $64,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,143 idx | 58,011 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $55,422 |
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 | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 4.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
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 | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 34.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 41.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Laredo is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Las Cruces.
From a growth perspective, Las Cruces 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 | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,205 | 116,998 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.99% |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 33.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.50% |
| 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.
Las Cruces
Advantages
The cost of living in Las Cruces is significantly lower than the national average, particularly for housing and utilities. [9, 10, 35, 39]
Las Cruces offers a pleasant climate with abundant sunshine, ideal for outdoor activities year-round. [4, 8, 12 in previous search, 28 in previous search]
The city has a thriving job market with consistent growth in key sectors like healthcare, education, and government. [4, 5, 7, 13, 17, 40]
Las Cruces was ranked 9th among small cities for overall economic growth in a 2025 study, indicating strong economic momentum. [29, 41]
The community is known for its friendly, welcoming atmosphere and rich cultural heritage. [8, 24 in previous search, 30 in previous search]
Drawbacks
Las Cruces has a high crime rate, with violent crime reported to be 68% higher and property crime 153% higher than the national average in 2024. [20]
The city is largely car-dependent, with limited public transit options and a low walkability score. [10, 11, 22]
Some residents report challenges with the quality and access to medical specialists and addiction treatment services. [8, 44 in previous search, 45 in previous search]
Average hourly earnings in Las Cruces are lower than the national average. [41 in previous search, 17]
Traffic congestion can lead to annual delays for drivers. [43 in previous search]
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
Las Cruces
#491New Mexico, USA
53.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,068
Avg Salary
$52,790
Cost Index
91
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
34.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.99%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
78
Business
70
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