Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 99,507 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 5.8% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 60.0% | 4.3% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.4% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $33,835 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $63,758 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 24.9% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $313,452 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 442 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 2339 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 22.3% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 19.7% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 19.7% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 68.5°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Baltimore 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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