A safe environment and affordable prices make Laredo the best place to live. On the other hand, Anaheim offers better economic standing, but the city is costly and unsafe.
Anaheim seems to be the best option for those looking for a city with a wide range of attractions in one area and year-round pleasant weather, and culturally progressive residents.
Laredo is in South Texas on the Rio Grande River. The town boasts a rich heritage and a low cost of living. Moreover, many prominent transportation businesses have a subsidiary in Laredo because of its proximity.
Both cities have opposing pros and cons. Contradictorily, Laredo is a safer city with better quality of living. Anaheim has a better job market, yet the city has a higher crime rate and is costly.
List of Contents
What are the Pros and Cons of Anaheim vs. Laredo?
Laredo is ideal for retirees and families, yet the city lacks diversity. On the contrary, Anaheim’s central location is perfect for frequent travelers, but the living cost is expensive.
Living in Laredo
Pros
- Excellent place to retire
- Overall lower cost than Anaheim
- Golf
- Authentic Mexican food
- Ideal for families
Laredo is a beautiful place to retire for a multitude of reasons. The city’s cost of living is relatively cheap. Almost everything is more affordable than the national average, which may benefit retirees with limited passive income.
In addition, Laredo has some of the most affordable home health care costs in the country, which is great news for seniors who need medical care provided to their homes regularly. Retirees also prefer warm weather over chilly weather.
Laredo is overall around 44% less costly than Anaheim.
The average residence in Laredo costs roughly $115,000, with a monthly rent of around $930. Approximately 63% of Laredo residents own their homes, with most housing leased.
In Laredo, a single-bedroom apartment costs about $880 per month on average. Meanwhile, a one-bedroom apartment in Laredo costs an average of $101,375.
Laredo has a great golf course like other cities. The city has a par-72 system spread out across 270 acres and has undulating greens along the banks of the Rio Grande.
This golfer’s paradise has a two-story 9,000 square-foot clubhouse and pro shop created by architect Robert Trent Jones Jr.
It is more than just a golf course because it is the city’s first municipally owned course. It’s the perfect setting for any event, including weddings.
You can expect authentic, original Mexican cuisine prepared the way it should be in Laredo—with care, tradition, and local products.
You can’t go wrong with Kekas, Mole, Chile Relleno, Pozole, and other traditional Mexican dishes served here.
Laredo has outstanding educational opportunities. Overall, education in the region is essential, and it ranks well nationally and statewide compared to other communities.
There are several playgrounds to choose from, and the weather in Laredo is consistently pleasant. Laredo is also a moderately priced place to raise a family.
If you wish to spend quality time with your loved ones, Laredo is a great place to go.
Cons
- Lacking diversity
- High poverty rate
Laredo is one of the cities in the United States with the least racial diversity, with a 95.6% Hispanic or Latino population.
The majority of Laredo’s people are Mexican. In comparison, Anaheim is more diverse than Laredo, not just in its population but also in its culture and area.
Laredo is an excellent choice to fulfill your dream of experiencing authentic Mexican culture.
With 30.6% of the population living in poverty, Laredo has a higher poverty rate than the national average.
In Laredo, one out of every 3.3 persons is poor. In 2020, 77,110 of Laredo’s 251,807 residents had incomes below poverty.
The unemployment rate in the city is considerably greater than in Anaheim. A city’s high unemployment rate correlates with poverty and crime rates.
Living in Anaheim
Pros
- Angel Stadium
- Oak Canyon Nature Center
- Pleasant weather than Laredo
- Perfect location
- Peaceful community
Angel Stadium is a baseball fan’s dream come true. After nightfall during a home baseball game, some believe Angel Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Angels of the American League West, to be the happiest place on earth.
The fantastic weather in Anaheim is a huge plus, especially during regular-season games. Home games are a tremendous experience for the whole family or casual sports fans with legal tickets.
Spectators can join public tours of the stadium between March and September.
The Oak Canyon Nature Center, in eastern Anaheim and just a short drive from Yorba Regional Park, connects visitors to the natural ecology of Southern California.
The Natural Center is a 58-acre natural park with four kilometers of informative trails.
A year-round stream provides a popular hiking route with many shelters, and the high Roadrunner Ridge walk offers an unparalleled view of the canyon environment.
The mild temperature of South California ensures nice weather throughout the year. In this part of California, the winters are moderate, the summers are scorching, and Anaheim lies right in the middle of it all.
The seasonal shift is usually so subtle that you may not even notice it.
Compared to Laredo, Texas, where temperatures are much hotter, living in Anaheim saves you from Texas’s sweltering climate.
Residents of Anaheim can quickly drive to Los Angeles, Long Beach, Newport Beach, and Santa Ana, thanks to the city’s central location. You can easily commute from Anaheim to these destinations if you work from these towns.
Besides work, traveling to California’s best beaches is more accessible if you live in Anaheim. Instead of commuting for hours, it will only take less than an hour to arrive at the nearest California beach.
Anaheim is home to several planned and lovely towns and residential zones, including Anaheim Hills and the Santa Ana foothills.
These areas are quite tranquil and remote compared to Downtown Anaheim; you’ll have panoramic views of both cities and California hills.
If you love to stay in a peaceful and remote community, Anaheim is the place to be.
Cons
- High prices
- Car-dependent metropolis
Anaheim’s cost of living is higher than the national average. Since the metropolis is part of California, prices are naturally high. The booming tourist industry is a significant factor in the city’s high costs and fees.
Living costs are 2.3% higher than the California average and 52.2% more than the national average.
Furthermore, Laredo’s cost of living is around 44% less expensive than Anaheim’s.
Anaheim is a pleasant place to drive. However, there is a chance that rush hour may be clogged.
Because Anaheim is a car-dependent city, you should familiarize yourself with the major freeways. Drivers in Anaheim squander an average of 119 hours per year, 35 gallons of gas, and $2,400 due to traffic congestion.
Going around the town using public transit may be a hassle because Anaheim does not have enough public transportation.
Anaheim or Laredo – Which is cheaper?
Living expenses in Laredo are 44.8% cheaper than in Anaheim. The housing prices in Laredo are 75.5% lesser, while utility fees are slightly more affordable in Anaheim.
| Living expenses | Anaheim | Laredo |
| Housing | 257.1% | 62.9% |
| Food & Groceries | 102.5% | 92.2% |
| Health | 95.9% | 92.5% |
| Utilities | 97.4% | 98.1% |
| Transportation | 118.0% | 95.4% |
Data is 100 = US National Average
more than 100 means more expensive than the national average
less than 100 means cheaper than the national average
Housing
Laredo’s housing fees are much lower than in Anaheim. Laredo has a median home price range of only $316,000. At the same time, it costs $571,528 in Anaheim.
Food & Groceries
Anaheim’s food and grocery prices are higher than in Laredo. A 1kg local cheese can cost around $9.19 in Anaheim, while its price in Laredo is only $8.81.
Health
Healthcare costs are 3.5% cheaper in Laredo. In Laredo, a doctor’s appointment may cost only $107, while it only costs $108 in Anaheim.
Utilities
The utility costs in Laredo are higher than in Anaheim. The monthly 50Mbps internet plan costs $77.4 in Laredo, while $74 in Anaheim.
Transportation
A one-way ticket for local transportation in Anaheim costs $2.00. In Laredo, it costs lesser for only $1.50. Thus, Laredo’s transportation fees are lesser compared to its counterpart.
Is Anaheim bigger than Laredo?
Laredo is 1.76 times more extensive and has a higher unemployment rate than Anaheim. On the contrary, Anaheim has a more bounteous economy and is denser than Laredo.
Laredo has an area size of 90.01 mi² as of 2022, with a 329,000 population. At the same time, Anaheim has a smaller area size of 50.88 mi² with a denser population of 350,986.
Even though Laredo is more prominent and less crowded, Anaheim provides a better economy. Comparing both city’s unemployment rates, Laredo’s is higher.
As of December 2021, Laredo has a 4.80% unemployment rate. In contrast, Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate of 4.30%.
Thus, Laredo might be more prominent in land size, yet Anaheim beats the city in economic standing.
Is Laredo safer than Anaheim?
Anaheim has a smaller safety scale of 46.76. In contrast, Laredo is safer, with a safety scale of 66.34. Therefore, living in Laredo is safer than in Anaheim.
Regarding the safety scale, Laredo’s safety score is higher than its counterpart. Additionally, Anaheim has a higher crime index of 53.24. Meanwhile, Laredo has a lower crime index of 33.66.
In Laredo, only one in every 297 people will likely be victim of violent crime. You also have a one-in-67 risk of becoming a property crime victim.
Property crime affects one out of every 39 residents in Anaheim. A violent crime will also affect one out of every 279 persons.
The lower the number, the more likely you are to be a victim of crime. Thus, Laredo is a safer city than Anaheim.
Is Anaheim hotter than Laredo?
Laredo has a 100°F average yearly maximum temperature. On the contrary, Anaheim has a lower annual average peak temperature of 85°F. Laredo is, hence, hotter than Anaheim.
Anaheim has 280 average annual sunny days. On the other hand, Laredo’s sunny days are shorter for only 220.
The summers are lengthy, hot, humid, and windy in Laredo. Throughout the year, temperatures typically vary from 48°F to 100°F, with temperatures seldom dropping below 36°F or going over 105°F.
Meanwhile, winters are cool, short, and dry; and the weather is partly overcast all year.
The winters are long, cold, and bleak in Anaheim. On the other hand, summers are brief, hot, and dry. Anaheim’s temperatures typically range from 46°F to 85°F throughout the year. Furthermore, temperatures seldom fall below 39°F or rise above 94°F.
The metropolis is generally hot almost all year round. Since Laredo is in Texas, the city experience sweltering hot temperatures peaking from June to August. Warm temperatures typically span from March to mid-November.
Hence, Laredo is hotter than Anaheim.
Is Anaheim better than Laredo?
Laredo is for those who don’t mind the Texas heat and prefer living in a safer city. Anaheim is best for people looking for a cooler climate with ample job openings, but the city is unsafe compared to its counterpart. Thus, Laredo is slightly better than Anaheim.
Comparing Anaheim and Laredo’s pros and cons, Laredo slightly outshines Anaheim.
Laredo provides a safer environment and a low cost of living. The city is also ideal for families and retirees.
Besides these advantages, Laredo lacks diversity and faces higher unemployment and poverty rate. Compared to Anaheim’s pleasant climate, Laredo is primarily hot all year round.
On the contrary, Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate and cooler climate. The town boasts a pleasant atmosphere throughout the year with a perfect location.
Nonetheless, Anaheim is more unsafe and costly than Laredo. This combination of disadvantages will make it challenging for you to adjust to the city.
Laredo’s unemployment rate is only slightly higher than Anaheim’s. If you are worried about the heat, you can buy things at a lower price here.
Therefore, Laredo is slightly better than Anaheim.
Laredo versus Anaheim – Where do you consider moving? Let me know your thoughts below.