Rows tagged local are specific to Laredo (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Laredo, TX. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 6/10 (district 4843650 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
88.3
metro-area
#10 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
92.9
metro-area
#1 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.03
metro-area
#10 of 200
Median household income
$60,928
local
#173 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$30,019
local
#196 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
5.87%
local
#152 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
+0.0%
local
#181 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$164,400
local
#20 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
2.7×
local
#25 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+2.9%
metro-area
#55 of 200
Price per square foot
$78
local
#13 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
2,100 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$968
local
#43 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
749
Median days on market
75
metro-area
#199 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
8.6%
state
#9 of 200
Combined sales tax
8.20%
state
#116 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
None
Capital gains tax
None
state
#1 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
2.03%
local
#186 of 200
Median property tax paid
$3,338
local
#130 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,800
state
#93 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$9,500
state
#37 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$75
state
#46 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties (Travis, Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, etc.)
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
21 min
local
#35 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
17.0¢/kWh
state
#90 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$153
state
#90 of 200
Gasoline
$3.00/gal
state
#24 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$52
state
#23 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$134
state
#142 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$83
state
#135 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$3,600
state
#164 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$2,100
state
#126 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, wildfire — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$900
state
#152 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
45
metro-area
#91 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
3,000
metro-area
#162 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
1,800
metro-area
#27 of 200
Avg summer high
96°F
metro-area
#181 of 200
Avg winter low
38°F
metro-area
#46 of 200
Annual precipitation
32.4"
metro-area
#50 of 200
Annual snowfall
0.2"
metro-area
#50 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
67%
metro-area
#45 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
8b
Frost window
02-25 → 12-01
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
430
state
#111 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,400
state
#131 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#5 of 200
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200
Permit detail
Generally easy; rural areas minimal, major cities moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.