Anchorage AK 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)
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Anchorage +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Anchorage
58.3%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 99,507 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.2 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 5.8% | Anchorage + |
| White | 58.3% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 5.3% | 4.3% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 1.4% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
San Marcos
11.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $64,146 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $33,835 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $63,758 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 11.9% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 24.9% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
San Marcos
63.3%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 63.3% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2339 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Anchorage +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 22.3% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 19.7% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.7% | Anchorage + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 68.5°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 35.7 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Anchorage +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anchorage + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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