Arvada CO 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)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
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
Arvada
122,835
Arvada +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
San Marcos
5.8%
San Marcos +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
San Marcos
4.3%
San Marcos +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Arvada +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 99,507 | Arvada + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 5.8% | San Marcos + |
| White | 82.8% | 66.6% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 4.3% | San Marcos + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.4% | Arvada + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
San Marcos
11.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $64,146 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $33,835 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,758 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 11.9% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 24.9% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
San Marcos
63.3%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 63.3% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Arvada +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
San Marcos
19.7%
San Marcos +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Arvada +
San Marcos
11.0%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 33.6% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 22.3% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 19.7% | Arvada + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 19.7% | San Marcos + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.0% | Arvada + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Arvada +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Arvada + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, 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 512 in Arvada. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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