Albany NY 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)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
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
Albany
100,081
Albany +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Albany
53.0%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 99,507 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.2 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 5.8% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 26.6% | 4.3% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 1.4% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Albany, NY | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $33,835 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,758 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 24.9% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Albany, NY | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Albany, NY | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 442 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2339 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Albany +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Albany, NY | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 33.6% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 22.3% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 19.7% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.7% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Albany, NY | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 68.5°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Albany, NY | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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