Amarillo TX 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)
Amarillo, TX
Texas · Population: 200,945
- Median HH Income$62,469
- Median Home Price$208,517
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+25.1%
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
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Amarillo +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 99,507 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.2 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 5.8% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 66.6% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 4.3% | Amarillo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.4% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Amarillo +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
San Marcos
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Amarillo +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $33,835 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 24.9% | Amarillo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $313,452 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
San Marcos
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
San Marcos
2339
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Amarillo +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Amarillo +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Amarillo +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 22.3% | Amarillo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 19.7% | Amarillo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 19.7% | Amarillo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Amarillo +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 68.5°F | Amarillo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 35.7 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. 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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