Laredo TX

In Laredo, the rent-to-income burden runs around 19% — refreshingly manageable by national standards. Median income sits at $63,915 and median rent is $1,030/month. 50% of renters are cost-burdened (30%+ of income on housing). Landlords are winning; everyone else is treading water. Median home value: $193,500 — that's 3× the median income. 64% of households own their home — unusually high for a major US city. Residents put down roots here. With a median age of 30, this is a young city — high energy, high turnover, and a lot of people figuring out adulthood simultaneously. Employment picture: 5.40% unemployment — a average employment landscape. Poverty rate: 20.9% — well above the national average. The headline economic numbers hide a bifurcated city. Average commute: 22 minutes — acceptable. Violent crime: 26.7/100k avg monthly rate (3377 reported); Property crime: 121.1/100k avg monthly rate (15320 reported). Laredo was founded in 1755 — that's 271 years of history baked into the streets. The city covers 90.4 sq miles at 2,851 people/sq mile — spread out. Elevation: 449 ft — modest elevation. Known as: "The City Under Seven Flags | The Gateway City". Laredo has 39 sister cities — cosmopolitan on paper, at least. RoastMyCity overall score: 69/100 — It Depends.