Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Laredo, TX
VS
South Gate, CA
🏆 Laredo leads 17 of 23 categories
Laredo
Texas
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
87.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$60,928
Violent Crime Index
96 ✓ Safer
Population
255,293 ✓ Larger
South Gate
California
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,188 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
138⚠ High
Population
92,381
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Laredo, TX
Pros
Homes cost $415k less ($164,400 vs $578,900)
Rent averages $432/mo less ($968 vs $1,400)
28% cheaper overall cost of living than South Gate
30% less violent crime than South Gate
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (5.9%)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails South Gate by $6,260/yr
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
South Gate, CA
Pros
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 100°F
Households earn $6,260 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $578,900
Higher rents — median is $1,400/mo
Cost of living runs 28% higher than Laredo
Violent crime (525.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Key Differences at a Glance
Laredo
Cost of Living
28% cheaper
COL index 87.8 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Laredo
Violent Crime
30% lower
365.8 vs 525.6 per 100k
Laredo
Median Home Value
$415k less
$164,400 vs $578,900
Laredo
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
5.9% vs 7.9% unemployment
Laredo
Summer Heat
18.3°F warmer
July avg high 100.3°F vs 82.0°F
South Gate
Median Income
$6,260
$67,188 vs $60,928/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Laredo, TX | South Gate, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 87.8 ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $164,400 ✓ Lower | $578,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $968 ✓ Lower | $1,400⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $60,928 | $67,188 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.3 min ✓ Shorter | 32.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 4.9% | 6.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 86 ✓ Safer | 152⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 96 ✓ Safer | 138⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (82) ✓ Better | C- (72) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 21.1% ✓ Higher | 11.5% |
| High School or Higher | 69.7% ✓ Higher | 58.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | UNITED ISD | Westbrook Academy District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 68.4°F ✓ Warmer | 68.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 100.3°F ✓ Warmer | 82.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 19.7" | 14.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 255,293 ✓ Larger | 92,381 |
| Median Age | 29.3 | 33.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% ✓ Higher | 44.8% |
| Under 18 | 31.8% ✓ More | 24.8% |
| Over 65 | 9.6% | 11.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Laredo's cost of living index is 87.8 vs South Gate's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Laredo is 28% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Laredo leads 17 of 23 categories. Laredo wins 17 and South Gate wins 6. 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 South Gate or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($164,400 vs $578,900 median home), income ($60,928 vs $67,188), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Laredo, TX and South Gate, CA are about 1,193 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.