Is Laredo cheaper than Dallas?

Yes. Typical rent in Laredo is $1,030 a month versus $1,472 in Dallas — 30% cheaper. Median household income is $63,915 in Laredo compared with $70,518 in Dallas, so Dallas has the stronger local pay picture.

Which city is safer, Laredo or Dallas?

Laredo is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 32 versus 109 in Dallas — 71% lower (100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.

Which city has better schools, Laredo or Dallas?

School composites are close: A- in Laredo and A- in Dallas. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

New search

City comparison

Laredo, TX vs Dallas, TX

Laredo, TX versus Dallas, TX is a real move, not a trivia matchup. This comparison uses the same 2026 neighborhood report data we publish on each city page — typical rent, median household income, crime indexes, school composites, and typical weather — so you can see which city actually fits how you live, work, and spend. Typical rents sit near $1,030 a month in Laredo and $1,472 in Dallas, and median household income lands at $63,915 versus $70,518. Open either city's full report when you want the block-level detail behind these headlines.

Laredo takes affordability, safety, and weather, while Dallas takes job market. The widest gap is crime index, where Laredo leads by 71% — the kind of spread you feel in a monthly budget or a nightly walk, not just on a chart. Read the category rows as a filter: if cheaper housing would change your life more than a stronger job market, weight rent first. If you are moving with kids, weight schools and crime. If you picked a city after one good weekend, use the weather and income rows to test whether that weekend survives a full year.

Numbers below are citywide, not a guarantee about the street you will actually live on. Two ZIP codes in Laredo can feel further apart than Laredo and Dallas do on paper. Use this page to pick a city, then use the Laredo and Dallas reports to pick a neighborhood — and visit in the season you like least before you sign anything.

Full Laredo report Full Dallas report

Laredo, TX

Rent: $1,030/mo
Median income: $63,915
Crime index: 32
Schools: A-
Weather: 90°F

Dallas, TX

Rent: $1,472/mo
Median income: $70,518
Crime index: 109
Schools: A-
Weather: 91°F

Rent

30% cheaper

Laredo rent is 30% cheaper than Dallas

Laredo

Winner

$1,030/mo

Dallas

$1,472/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,030 a month in Laredo versus $1,472 in Dallas, so Laredo is 30% cheaper. That's roughly $442/month back in your pocket — $5,304/year. Over five years that's $26,520 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Dallas, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Laredo is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.

Median income

10% higher

Dallas's median income is 10% higher than Laredo

Laredo

$63,915

Dallas

Winner

$70,518

What this means for your life

Median household income is $70,518 in Dallas versus $63,915 in Laredo, so typical pay runs 10% higher in Dallas — about $6,603 more household income a year. The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.

Crime index

71% lower crime

Laredo's crime index is 71% lower than Dallas

Laredo

Winner

32 (100 = avg)

Dallas

109 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Laredo's crime index is 32 versus 109 in Dallas (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 71% lower in Laredo. That gap is meaningful day-to-day — it affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Laredo is the easier city. Dallas can still work if you pick the right pocket — just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.

School scores

Neck and neck

Laredo and Dallas are about even on school scores.

Laredo

A- · 84/100

Dallas

A- · 84/100

What this means for your life

School composites are effectively even (A- in Laredo, A- in Dallas). For families with kids this is a warning if you assumed one city was obviously better — at this range the campus, not the city name, decides it. Tour the zoned elementary you would actually use.

Typical weather

4% more comfortable

Laredo weather is 4% more comfortable than Dallas

Laredo

Winner

90°F typical

Dallas

91°F typical

What this means for your life

Laredo scores 4% more comfortable on this page's weather index, which rewards temperatures closer to a livable outdoor day. Typical temperatures sit around 90°F in Laredo and 91°F in Dallas. Laredo reads as hot, long summers; Dallas reads as hot, long summers. The comfort edge is real but not a personality transplant. If you already know you want Dallas's season, a modest index lead should not talk you out of it. If you are undecided, Laredo is the city where the forecast fights you less.

Fit check

Who should choose Laredo

Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing

Laredo is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 30% cheaper here at about $1,030 a month. Choose Laredo if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.

Pick Laredo if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (90°F) beat Dallas on this page's weather index by 4%. Dallas may pay more or cost less, but Laredo is the city where the forecast fights you less.

Laredo is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 71% lower than Dallas (32 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.

Open the Laredo report →

Fit check

Who should choose Dallas

Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth

Dallas is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 10% higher here ($70,518). Start with Dallas if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.

Open the Dallas report →

Bottom line

Laredo vs Dallas, called

If safety is your priority, Laredo is the clear choice.

If the job market matters more to you, Dallas pulls ahead.

For most movers comparing these two cities, Laredo offers the better overall package.

Common questions

Laredo vs Dallas FAQ

Is Laredo cheaper than Dallas?: Yes. Typical rent in Laredo is $1,030 a month versus $1,472 in Dallas — 30% cheaper. Median household income is $63,915 in Laredo compared with $70,518 in Dallas, so Dallas has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Laredo or Dallas?: Laredo is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 32 versus 109 in Dallas — 71% lower (100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.
Which city has better schools, Laredo or Dallas?: School composites are close: A- in Laredo and A- in Dallas. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

Ready to move to Laredo?

Find apartments →Get a mortgage rate →

Next steps