Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Laredo, TX
🏆 Laredo leads 12 of 23 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$78,546 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
122,216
Laredo
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
87.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$60,928
Violent Crime Index
96
Population
255,293 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
17% less violent crime than Laredo
Households earn $17,618 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (3.7%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 100°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $416,500
Higher rents — median is $1,472/mo
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Laredo
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Laredo, TX
Pros
Homes cost $252k less ($164,400 vs $416,500)
Rent averages $504/mo less ($968 vs $1,472)
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 32°F
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Ann Arbor
Living costs sit below the national average (index 87.8)
Cons
Median income trails Ann Arbor by $17,618/yr
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 3.7%)
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Median Income
$17,618
$78,546 vs $60,928/yr
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
17% lower
302.5 vs 365.8 per 100k
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
3.7% vs 5.9% unemployment
Laredo
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 87.8 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Laredo
Median Home Value
$252k less
$164,400 vs $416,500
Laredo
Summer Heat
16.3°F warmer
July avg high 100.3°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Laredo, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 | 87.8 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High | $164,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High | $968 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 ✓ Higher | $60,928 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 21.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 4.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 86 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 96 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 | 70 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | C (82) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 21.1% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 69.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | UNITED ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 68.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 100.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" | 19.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 0.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 | 255,293 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 29.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 62.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 31.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% ✓ More | 9.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Laredo's 87.8 (US average = 100).
Laredo is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Laredo leads 12 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 11 and Laredo wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Ann Arbor to Laredo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $164,400 median home), income ($78,546 vs $60,928), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Laredo, TX are about 1,348 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.