Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Laredo, TX
VS
New Braunfels, TX
🏆 New Braunfels leads 14 of 23 categories
Laredo
Texas
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
87.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$60,928
Violent Crime Index
96
Population
255,293 ✓ Larger
New Braunfels
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.7
Median Household Income
$85,827 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
41 ✓ Safer
Population
92,993
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Laredo, TX
Pros
Homes cost $126k less ($164,400 vs $290,800)
Rent averages $458/mo less ($968 vs $1,426)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 87.8)
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 62°F
6% cheaper overall cost of living than New Braunfels
Cons
Median income trails New Braunfels by $24,899/yr
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 3.8%)
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
New Braunfels, TX
Pros
57% less violent crime than Laredo
Households earn $24,899 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (3.8%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (156.4 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 38.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.7)
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,426/mo
Cost of living runs 6% higher than Laredo
Key Differences at a Glance
Laredo
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 87.8 vs 93.7 (100 = US avg)
Laredo
Median Home Value
$126k less
$164,400 vs $290,800
Laredo
Summer Heat
6.9°F warmer
July avg high 100.3°F vs 93.4°F
New Braunfels
Median Income
$24,899
$85,827 vs $60,928/yr
New Braunfels
Violent Crime
57% lower
156.4 vs 365.8 per 100k
New Braunfels
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
3.8% vs 5.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Laredo, TX | New Braunfels, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 87.8 ✓ Cheaper | 93.7 |
| Median Home Value | $164,400 ✓ Lower | $290,800 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $968 ✓ Lower | $1,426⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $60,928 | $85,827 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.3 min ✓ Shorter | 26.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 4.9% | 11.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 86 | 49 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 96 | 41 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 | 61 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (82) | B+ (106) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.8:1 | 15.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 21.1% | 38.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 69.7% | 91.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | UNITED ISD | COMAL ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 68.4°F ✓ Warmer | 61.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 100.3°F ✓ Warmer | 93.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 19.7" ✓ Drier | 35.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 255,293 ✓ Larger | 92,993 |
| Median Age | 29.3 | 36.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 63.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 31.8% ✓ More | 24.0% |
| Over 65 | 9.6% | 13.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Laredo's cost of living index is 87.8 vs New Braunfels's 93.7 (US average = 100).
Laredo is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, New Braunfels leads 14 of 23 categories. Laredo wins 9 and New Braunfels wins 14. 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 Laredo to New Braunfels or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($164,400 vs $290,800 median home), income ($60,928 vs $85,827), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Laredo, TX and New Braunfels, TX are about 170 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.