Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arvada, CO
VS
Laredo, TX
🏆 Laredo leads 12 of 23 categories
Arvada
Colorado
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$106,014 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
75 ✓ Safer
Population
123,066
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.
Arvada, CO
Pros
Households earn $45,086 more per year on average
22% less violent crime than Laredo
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (3.8%)
More college-educated — 47.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 100°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $553,000
Higher rents — median is $1,706/mo
Cost of living runs 18% higher than Laredo
Property crime (2478.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Laredo, TX
Pros
Homes cost $389k less ($164,400 vs $553,000)
Rent averages $738/mo less ($968 vs $1,706)
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Arvada
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 47°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 87.8)
Cons
Median income trails Arvada by $45,086/yr
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 3.8%)
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Arvada
Median Income
$45,086
$106,014 vs $60,928/yr
Arvada
Violent Crime
22% lower
285.6 vs 365.8 per 100k
Arvada
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
3.8% vs 5.9% unemployment
Laredo
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 87.8 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Laredo
Median Home Value
$389k less
$164,400 vs $553,000
Laredo
Summer Heat
12.1°F warmer
July avg high 100.3°F vs 88.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Laredo, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High | 87.8 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $553,000⚠ High | $164,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,706⚠ High | $968 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $106,014 ✓ Higher | $60,928 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min | 21.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 18.7% ✓ Higher | 4.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 92 | 86 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 96 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High | 70 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) ✓ Better | C (82) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.7:1 | 15.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.6% ✓ Higher | 21.1% |
| High School or Higher | 95.4% ✓ Higher | 69.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson County School District No. R-1 | UNITED ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.2°F | 68.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F | 100.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.9" ✓ Drier | 19.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 54.8" | 0.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 123,066 | 255,293 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.2 ✓ Older | 29.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.2% ✓ Higher | 62.7% |
| Under 18 | 20.1% | 31.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.5% ✓ More | 9.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arvada's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Laredo's 87.8 (US average = 100).
Laredo is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Laredo leads 12 of 23 categories. Arvada 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 Arvada to Laredo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($553,000 vs $164,400 median home), income ($106,014 vs $60,928), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arvada, CO and Laredo, TX are about 908 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.