Sample data. These scores are illustrative placeholders, not real measurements — live scores arrive when the data pipeline runs.
Where Laredo lands on the scale
Every city is graded on the same 0–100 Fun Score, split into five bands from quiet to exceptional — here is where Laredo sits.
How the Fun Score adds up
The Fun Score is one number with two halves — 16 things that make Laredo fun, minus 7 that wear it down. Here is the arithmetic.
16 things that lift the score, blended onto 0–100
7 things that wear it down, blended onto 0–100
- Fun factors lift it
- –
- Drawbacks pull it down
- –
- Raw composite
- –
- Fun Score placed on the published 0–100 scale
- –
Only 40% of the drawback total is subtracted — even a great city can carry a few flaws. Every factor below spells its contribution out as an equation — score times weight. Those 23 contributions are the building blocks behind the two totals above (each is rounded for display).
The Fun breakdown
Every factor is scored 0–100 against the other cities in the index.
Laredo's strongest factors are Higher Education, City Vibe and Unique Hangouts. Its heaviest drawbacks are Economic Strain, Air Quality and Weather Extremes.
On every bar, the marker shows the typical city — the median score across the whole index.
What lifts the score
- Eats –
Restaurants, food halls and the depth of the dining scene.
Measured from OpenStreetMap restaurant counts, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality.
- Drinks –
Bars, breweries, cocktail rooms and the nightlife spread.
Measured from OpenStreetMap bars, pubs, nightclubs and craft breweries/distilleries, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality.
- Coffee –
Cafés and the strength of the third-place coffee culture.
Measured from OpenStreetMap café counts, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality.
-
Music venues and how often live shows actually happen.
Measured from Ticketmaster and SeatGeek show listings, plus OpenStreetMap music venues.
-
Notable people the city is known for, plus headliner acts that tour through.
Measured from SeatGeek headliner popularity and Wikidata notable residents (rank-blended).
- Outdoors –
Parks, beaches and easy access to nature.
Measured from OpenStreetMap parks, nature reserves, playgrounds and beaches, plus National Park Service units and Recreation.gov federal facilities.
- Culture –
Museums, theatres, galleries and arts institutions.
Measured from OpenStreetMap museums, galleries and theatres plus geo-tagged Wikipedia landmarks, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality.
- Events –
Festivals, fairs and a packed year-round events calendar.
Measured from Ticketmaster and SeatGeek festivals, fairs and ticketed events.
- Sports –
Pro and college teams and the game-day energy around them.
Measured from Ticketmaster and SeatGeek pro and college games, plus OpenStreetMap stadiums, sports centres and fitness centres.
-
Escape rooms, arcades, trampoline parks and karaoke spots.
Measured from OpenStreetMap escape rooms, arcades, trampoline parks and karaoke venues, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality.
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How much the city is talked about and searched for — news and search attention.
Measured from GDELT news tone and Google Trends search interest (each percentile-ranked, then averaged).
- Climate –
How often the weather is good enough to get outside.
Measured from NOAA climate normals — counts of comfortable days.
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How well a person without a car can move around the city.
Measured from GTFS schedules via Transit.land, the Federal Transit Administration National Transit Database and US Census ACS B08301 commuter mode share.
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Density of fun within walking distance — sidewalks, intersections, mixed-use blocks.
Measured from EPA National Walkability Index (block-group resolution, population-weighted to the city).
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Density of college and university students — the engine behind a college town.
Measured from NCES Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) full-time-equivalent enrollment and US Census ACS age cohort data.
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Protected bike lanes and a working public bikeshare system.
Measured from OpenStreetMap protected cycleway segments and the MobilityData GBFS bikeshare-feed catalog.
What weighs it down
- Crime –
Reported violent and property crime rates.
Measured from FBI Crime Data Explorer and city open-data crime portals.
- Traffic –
Congestion and the time lost to commuting.
Measured from US Census commute-time data (ACS).
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Recent particulate matter and ozone levels — a trailing-week air-quality average.
Measured from EPA AirNow and OpenAQ pollution readings (seven-day trailing average).
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Exposure to natural hazards and severe events.
Measured from FEMA National Risk Index.
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Punishing heat, cold and storm extremes.
Measured from NOAA Storm Events and climate-extremes data.
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Cost of living and housing pressure on residents.
Measured from Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment, HUD Fair Market Rent and US Census median income plus poverty rate.
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What a typical night out actually costs in this metro.
Measured from Bureau of Labor Statistics regional Consumer Price Index — food away from home, recreation services and transportation services.
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Cities like Laredo
The Laredo read Free
A written read on Laredo, grounded in the data
A plain-English analysis of why Laredo scores the way it does — its standout strengths, where it falls short, who it suits best, and the cities most like it. Every figure is drawn from the same 23 factors on this page: it narrates the measured data, it never invents a number.
Laredo, TX: A Quiet City with Strong Higher Education
Laredo, TX earns a Fun Score of 10, placing it in the "Quiet" category, and stands out nationally for its robust Higher Education opportunities.
Why it scores high
Laredo, TX shines brightest in its Higher Education sector, scoring a strong 78 and ranking 30th nationally out of 134 cities (NCES Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) full-time-equivalent enrollment and US Census ACS age cohort data). This indicates a significant presence of academic institutions and a vibrant student population, contributing to the city's intellectual and social fabric.
The city also boasts a respectable City Vibe score of 52, placing it 65th nationally (GDELT news tone and Google Trends search interest (each percentile-ranked, then averaged)). This suggests a generally positive public perception and a certain level of local buzz, making it an engaging place for residents. For those seeking distinctive recreational options, Laredo, TX offers a solid array of Unique Hangouts, scoring 33 and ranking 90th nationally (OpenStreetMap escape rooms, arcades, trampoline parks and karaoke venues, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality). This indicates a decent selection of niche entertainment venues beyond traditional restaurants and bars.
Furthermore, Laredo, TX excels in safety, with a remarkable Crime score of 92, tied for 11th nationally (FBI Crime Data Explorer and city open-data crime portals). This high score means the city is notably safer than many others, contributing significantly to residents' peace of mind. The cost of going out in Laredo, TX is also quite reasonable, reflected in its Going-Out Cost score of 65, tied for 22nd nationally (Bureau of Labor Statistics regional Consumer Price Index — food away from home, recreation services and transportation services). This suggests that entertainment and dining expenses are relatively affordable. The city also demonstrates a low Disaster Risk, scoring 86 and tied for 19th nationally (FEMA National Risk Index), indicating a reduced likelihood of natural disasters impacting daily life.
Where it falls short
While Laredo, TX has its strengths, it presents fewer options in certain entertainment categories. The Live Music scene, for instance, scores only 5, tied for 127th nationally (Ticketmaster and SeatGeek show listings, plus OpenStreetMap music venues), suggesting limited opportunities for live performances. Similarly, the city's Eats score is 6, ranking 126th nationally (OpenStreetMap restaurant counts, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality), indicating a less diverse or highly-rated culinary landscape compared to other cities.
Outdoor enthusiasts might find the options somewhat limited, as Outdoors scores 9, ranking 122nd nationally (OpenStreetMap parks, nature reserves, playgrounds and beaches, plus National Park Service units and Recreation.gov federal facilities). This suggests fewer parks, nature reserves, or recreational facilities. The Coffee scene also scores low at 10, ranking 121st nationally (OpenStreetMap café counts, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality), implying a smaller selection of cafes.
Who it's for
Laredo, TX is ideal for students or those seeking a quiet, safe community with affordable going-out options and a strong academic environment. Its high scores in higher education, safety, and affordability make it particularly appealing to those prioritizing these aspects over a bustling nightlife or extensive dining scene.
Cities like it
- El Paso, TX: Shares a similar border city dynamic and cultural blend.
- Jackson, MS: Another city with a "Quiet" category designation and a focus on community.
- Bakersfield, CA: Offers a comparable experience in terms of overall fun score and lifestyle.
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics regional Consumer Price Index — food away from home, recreation services and transportation services
- Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment, HUD Fair Market Rent and US Census median income plus poverty rate
- EPA AirNow and OpenAQ pollution readings (seven-day trailing average)
- EPA National Walkability Index (block-group resolution, population-weighted to the city)
- FBI Crime Data Explorer and city open-data crime portals
- FEMA National Risk Index
- GDELT news tone and Google Trends search interest (each percentile-ranked, then averaged)
- GTFS schedules via Transit.land, the Federal Transit Administration National Transit Database and US Census ACS B08301 commuter mode share
- NCES Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) full-time-equivalent enrollment and US Census ACS age cohort data
- NOAA climate normals — counts of comfortable days
- NOAA Storm Events and climate-extremes data
- OpenStreetMap arcades, trampoline parks and karaoke venues, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality
- OpenStreetMap bars, pubs, nightclubs and craft breweries/distilleries, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality
- OpenStreetMap caf\u00e9 counts, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality
- OpenStreetMap escape rooms
- OpenStreetMap music venues
- OpenStreetMap parks, nature reserves, playgrounds and beaches, plus National Park Service units and Recreation.gov federal facilities
- OpenStreetMap protected cycleway segments and the MobilityData GBFS bikeshare-feed catalog
- OpenStreetMap restaurant counts, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality
- OpenStreetMap museums, galleries and theatres plus geo-tagged Wikipedia landmarks, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality
- OpenStreetMap stadiums, sports centres and fitness centres
- SeatGeek headliner popularity and Wikidata notable residents (rank-blended)
- Ticketmaster and SeatGeek festivals, fairs and ticketed events
- Ticketmaster and SeatGeek pro and college games
- Ticketmaster and SeatGeek show listings
- US Census ACS commute-time data
This narrative is generated by AI from CityFunIndex's measured data. The Fun Scores, ranks and raw values are computed deterministically; the wording around them is the model's. Verify any figure against the linked city page.
Go deeper
Use the data
Laredo’s Fun Score and every factor score are available through the licensed CityFunIndex API — clean JSON, metered one call per city record, behind a paid key.
Cite this page
Paste-ready credit line for journalists, researchers and bloggers. Carries the score, the algorithm version and the canonical URL so readers can verify it themselves.
CityFunIndex Fun Score for Laredo, TX: 10/100 (v2.1.0-dev). https://cityfunindex.com/city/laredo-tx
Press, research and partnership enquiries: media kit · api@cityfunindex.com.