Akron OH vs San Marcos TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
San Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Akron +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Akron
56.1%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 99,507 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 5.8% | Akron + |
| White | 56.1% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 29.4% | 4.3% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.4% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
San Marcos
24.9%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Akron, OH | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $33,835 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 24.9% | San Marcos + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Akron, OH | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $313,452 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Akron, OH | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 442 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2339 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Akron +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Akron, OH | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 22.3% | Akron + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 19.7% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 19.7% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Akron, OH | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 68.5°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Marcos + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Akron, OH | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and San Marcos has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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