laredo

Moving to a new city is always exciting. You may have dozens of reasons to pack your bags to a new destination. However, in between the earlier thoughts of moving to the packing of bags, there can be tons of questions dancing inside your head – whether I am making the right decision, what is the city like, what’s the weather, living cost, and crime rate, and many more. But when you’re moving to Laredo, Texas, you can breathe easily. We’ve got the best Laredo, Texas moving guide for you.

Located on the banks of the Rio Grande River in South Texas, 200 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico, Laredo is an economic hub and you won’t regret picking the city as your new living destination. Without wasting much time, let’s get to know the city in detail.

QuickFacts

Quick facts to know before you move to Laredo

  • Laredo’s history dates back to 1755 when Don Tomás Sánchez Barrera established a Spanish colony.
  • Laredo is on the Rio Grande in Southwestern Webb County in South Texas, about 135 miles west of Corpus Christi and 150 miles from San Antonio.
  • Laredo is known as “The Gateway City” & “The City Under Seven Flags”.
  • Laredo is the only city in Texas to fly seven flags.
  • Fort McIntosh, one of the historic buildings of Laredo played a pivotal role in the Mexican-American war.
  • Laredo is one of the oldest border crossing points along the U.S.-Mexico border and the nation's largest inland port of entry.

Top 10 things to know before moving to Laredo

  • Laredo has a strong economy, which means more jobs.
  • The economy is based on international trade with Mexico.
  • There’s no income tax but high property taxes.
  • Spanglish, a mix of Spanish and English, is widely spoken here.
  • The city is highly diverse.
  • Baseball is a part of the city’s culture.
  • Washington’s Birthday Celebration is a major festival here, celebrated in the later part of January and the majority of February.
  • There are 50 municipal golf courses in Laredo.
  • Laredo is one of the safest cities in Texas.
  • Extreme weather and poverty are major drawbacks.

Is Laredo a good place to raise a family?

With amazingly good infrastructure, a diverse society, and a low crime rate, Laredo is one of the best cities in Texas to raise a family. The city is safe in comparison with many big cities and there are some good schools as well within the city limits.

Can you drink tap water in Laredo?

The city receives water from The City of Laredo - Columbia Water Treatment Plant, where water is treated and filtered as per federal and state standards to remove any possible harmful contaminant. And that makes tap water directly consumable.

Does Laredo, TX get snow?

Laredo has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters. The temperature hardly reaches the freezing level and it doesn't snow here.

How much does it cost to live in Laredo?

The average living cost in Laredo is maybe $1679, which makes it one of the most expensive cities in Texas. A family of 4 members may need to shell out $3, 308 to reside in the city, which includes rent. Transport, housing, and property tax are higher in Laredo than in most neighboring cities.

What's the Population of Laredo, TX?

As of 2020, Laredo has a population of 263,640, making it the 81st-most populous city in the United States and the 10th-largest in Texas. While the city density is 2,464.96/sq mi, the city residents are called Laredoans.

Here’re a few facts about Laredo demographics.

  • Laredo’s total population is 263,640.
  • The population is made up of 48.7% males and 41.3% females.
  • The median age in Laredo is 37.4.
  • The city population is made up of 3.5% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.5% Asian, and 0.1% from two or more races.
  • People of Hispanic ethnicity are the majority here with 95.4%.
  • The median household size in Laredo is 3.7 persons.
  • About 42.1% of the residents are married couples living together.
  • On average, 24.4% of the residents are single and have children.
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How fast can you commute to Laredo, TX?

Moving to Laredo, your time spent behind the wheel will be shortened. The average one-way commute in Laredo takes 21.2 minutes, much shorter than the US average of 26.4 minutes.

As you may be interested to know more about commuting in Laredo, here are a few facts.

  • About 81.7% drive their car alone
  • About 12.0% carpool with others
  • About 2.6% work from home
  • Approximately 1.0% take mass transit

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What is the weather like in Laredo, TX?

The climate plays a major factor in determining whether you need to move to a specific city. And in Laredo, you’ll experience a semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters. The city has 3 comfortable months with high temperatures in the range of 70-85°. August is the hottest in Laredo with the average high temperature touching 99.5°. June and July are the most humid months.

We’ve got a few climate facts about Laredo.

  • Laredo receives about 21 inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is 38 inches of rain per year.
  • The city averages 0 inches of snow per year. The US average is 28 inches of snow per year.
  • On average, the city gets about 220 sunny days per year against the US average of 205 sunny days.
  • The city receives some kind of precipitation, on average, 53 days per year in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
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Top reasons to move to Laredo, TX

Laredo has witnessed a huge move in recent years. Thousands of people have started calling the city their new home and they’ve got their reasons.

And for those who wonder what the reasons are, we’ve collated a few points.

  • Highly diverse
  • Economically rich
  • More jobs
  • Comfortable humidity
  • Low risk of natural disasters
pros and cons of Laredo

Pros & Cons of moving to Laredo

When you’ve got both the pluses and minuses of living in Laredo, it becomes easy to analyze both and make a final goal.

While the city is safe and has a booming economy, poverty and extreme heat are major minuses. And we've listed out the pros and cons of moving to Laredo.

Pros of living in Laredo
  • Racial diversity
  • No income tax
  • Low wildfire risk
  • Low earthquake risk
  • The low cancer mortality rate
  • More sunny days
Cons of living in Laredo
  • High property tax
  • The low house ownership rate
  • High poverty
  • Dry weather

Best neighborhoods in Laredo, TX

Laredo is one of the most desired cities in Texas and you would see thousands of people moving here to make a living. Finding a home in one of the best neighborhoods is a prime concern for most of them. If you too are one among them, you don’t need to worry as the city has many beautiful neighborhoods. Knowing them will work out once you are here with the family.

Here are the top 9 best neighborhoods in Laredo.

Rank Neighborhood Population Average home rental Home Value
1 Winfield/Plantation 4241 $3,136 $398,640
2 JSJ Estates/Regency Park 556 $1,266 $385,617
3 Casa Verde Acres/NU-Vision 1,727 $1,534 $374,223
4 Lakeside/Texas A&M International University 1,768 $921 346,671
5 San Isidro East 240 $1,740 $327,548
6 Del Mar Hills 7,104 $1,773 $266,759
7 San Isidro West 103 $1,805 $248,074
8 Laredo Intl Airport 191 $1,585 $239,267
9 Crown Ridge/Liberty Hills 1,374 $1,341 $230,627

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Cost of living in Laredo

Despite its high living standards, booming economy, and good climate and low crime rate, Laredo is surprisingly cheaper to live in.

The city’s cost of living is 14% lower than the Texas average and 20% lower than the national average. Everything here, including the housing is cheaper, making it easier to have a good life without burning the pocket.

Here are latest stats about the living costs in Laredo.

Living Expense Laredo Taxes National Average
Overall 82 94.2 100
Grocery 92.2 93.7 100
Health 95.1 100 100
Housing 55.3 83.5 100
Median home cost $161,400 $243,600 100
Utilities 98.1 99.2 100
Transportation 95.4 103.3 100
Miscellaneous 76.6 83.2 100
Laredo Job Market

How is the job market in Laredo, TX?

As you’re on the last leg of moving to Laredo, it is natural to be curious about the job market here. Laredo’s economy is booming and it is mostly based on international trade with Mexico.

The companies in Laredo pay well and this reflects in the lifestyle of the residents.

To help you know more about the jobs in Laredo, here are a few job stats.

  • Laredo records positive job growth.
  • Jobs have increased by 1.1% over the past year.
  • The average salary in Laredo is $39,408.
  • The unemployment rate in Laredo is 7.9%, much lower than the national average of 6.0%.
Employment Information Laredo, Texas United States
The income per Cap $16,642 $31,177
Household Income $41,302 $57,652
Unemployment Rate 7.9 6.0%
Recent Job Growth -6.75% -6.18%
Future Job Growth 33.36% 33.51%

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Fastest growing jobs in Laredo, TX

Laredo takes pride in its booming economy and this contributes to a large variety of jobs. Moving to Laredo, it is easy to find a job of your choice than most neighboring cities in Texas.

Here are the 10 fastest-growing jobs in Laredo.

Rank Job Title Average Salary Openings in 2024
1 Sales Associate $34,639 956
2 Registered nurse $64,016 588
3 Adjunct faculty $59,745 348
4 Customer service representative $26,445 246
5 Restaurant associate $27,647 235
6 Assistant store manager $36,843 227
7 Certified nursing assistant $24,820 205
8 Delivery driver $34,455 193
9 Assistant manager $46,233 184
10 Shift manager $31,891 182

Top career options in Laredo, TX

Maybe you are Laredo for a job and knowing the best paying jobs will help you while hunting for one. Knowing this, we’ve filtered down 10 jobs with fat paychecks in Laredo.

Rank Job Title Average Salary Entry Level Salary
1 Orthopedic surgeon $356,595 $191,000
2 Surgeon $317,989 $189,000
3 Obstetrician/gynecologist $235,451 $126,000
4 Orthodontist $206,483 $104,000
5 Nephrologist $204,184 $115,000
6 Physician $200,026 $108,000
7 Endodontist $183,370 $94,000
8 Pediatrician $159,736 $98,000
9 Owner/operator $159,890 $77,000
10 Pediatric dentist $153,096 $81,000

What's the average salary & income in Laredo, TX?

Just as in the case of jobs, you would be curious to know the average package that companies offer in Laredo. As the city is home to many big names and is one of the most economically growing cities in Texas, you can be sure that your take-home pay will be not bad. Though what companies offer may differ based on the job type, your expertise, and the brand value, there are a few common factors, knowing which may help you. Here are the updated salary stats.

  • Laredo’s average annual pay for average jobs is $41,779 a year
  • Laredo’s average hourly pay for average jobs is $20.09 an hour
  • Laredo’s average weekly pay for average jobs is $803 per week
  • Laredo’s average monthly pay for average jobs is $3,481 per month
  • Laredo’s top earners (90th percentile) make $98,940 annually

Best companies to work for if you’re moving to Laredo, TX

How good it would be if you know the best companies to work in Laredo. You can filter down the job searches to join one of those companies that ensure the utmost employee satisfaction. Luckily, we’ve got a list of the 10 best companies to work for while you reside in Laredo.

Here’s the list

  • IBC Bank
  • Laredo Regional Medical Center
  • Fulfillment Corporation of America
  • Gateway CHCServing Children and Adults in Need
  • Falcon International Bank
  • Texas A&M International University
  • Sigma Alimentos
  • Precious Image
  • FreightHub, Inc.

Major industries in Laredo

When we say Laredo’s economy is mostly based on international trade to Mexico, you may be curious to know what the major industries here are. And knowing this, we’ve got a list of major industries in Laredo and neighboring areas

Here is a list of major industries in Laredo

  • Transportation & Warehousing
  • Retail
  • Education
  • Banking
  • Finance and insurance

How is the housing market of Laredo, TX?

When you reach Laredo, getting a home on rent or buying would be your priority. And knowing the housing market will benefit in making easy decisions. When you’re aware of the costs, you can ensure you’ve got the cash required. The housing cost in Laredo is 33% lower than the national average which means you have a higher chance of owning one.

Here are a few more points about the housing market in Laredo.

  • Laredo’s median home cost is $161,400.
  • The median age of Laredo real estate is 25 years old.
  • The city’s home appreciation in the last 10 years has been 14.4%.
  • Renters make up 35.2% of the city population.
  • About 2.9% of houses and apartments in Laredo are available to rent.

Average rental prices in Laredo, TX

Fortunately, home rental prices in Laredo are much lower than in most cities in Texas State. The average monthly rent in Laredo is $855 and naturally, the rent may change based on the neighborhood, home size, and many other factors. However, knowing the approximate home rental can help you once you are in Laredo.

  • Laredo’s average rent for a studio apartment is $748
  • Laredo’s average rent for a 1-bedroom home or apartment is $752
  • Laredo’s average rent for a 2-bedroom home or apartment is $932
  • Laredo’s average rent for a 3-bedroom home or apartment is $1,209
  • Laredo’s average rent for a 4-bedroom home or apartment is $1,334

What are taxes like in Laredo?

As your take-home salary is greatly determined by the taxes levied by the government, knowing the normal deductions will help you in calculating the amount you would take home.

As Texas State does not levy tax on the income, nothing will be cut from the salary in Laredo. However, many other taxes exist here.

Take a look at the tax cuts in Laredo or Texas State.

  • The sales tax rate for Laredo is 8.3%. The US average is 7.3%
  • The Income Tax Rate for Laredo is 0.0%. The US average is 4.6%
  • The average property tax rate in Laredo is 1.80%
  • The average income of a Laredo resident is $15,127 a year. The US average is $28,555 a year

What are the best things to do in Laredo, Texas?

Laredo stands on the US-Mexican boundary and has got a rich history to explore. A blend of two distinct cultures, modern Laredo is unlike anything else in Texas.

From museums to ancient churches to shopping venues and natural wonders, there is a lot to explore in Lerado. To make things easier for you, we’ve got a list of the 10 best things to do in Laredo.

Here they are.

  • Worship at the Cathedral of San Agustin
  • Explore the Republic of the Río Grande Museum
  • Go fishing at Lake Casa Blanca International State Park
  • Get shooting lessons at Arena Gun Club
  • Watch a baseball game (or a concert) at Uni-Trade Stadium
  • Visit the San Agustin de Laredo Historic District
  • Have a picnic at Los Dos Laredos Park
  • Visit the Laredo Center for the Arts
  • Learn about Laredo’s Unique Culture at the Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum
  • Gaze at stars and planets from TAMIU Planetarium

How safe is Laredo, TX?

When you hear that Laredo is on the US-Mexican border, you may assume it to be a crime hub but to your surprise, Laredo is highly safe in comparison to many US cities. Though records state that the crime rate here is higher than the US average, about 20% of the residents feel the city to be extremely safe.

To know how safe Laredo is, here are the updated crime stats.

  • The rate of crime in Laredo is 3.37 per 1,000 residents during a standard year.
  • The violent crime rate in Laredo is 26.2. The U.S. average is 22.7
  • The property crime rate is 48.7. The U.S. average is 35.4
  • Laredo is safer than 32% of US cities
  • Residents have a 1 in 297 chance of being the victim of a violent crime
  • Residents have a 1 in 67 chance of being the victim of a property crime

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What are the top schools in Laredo, TX?

When you’ve got a family, you would be highly concerned about the quality of education and availability of schools.

Fortunately, Laredo has many good schools and colleges in the nearby areas. And we’ve listed the best ones for you.

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