Baton Rouge LA 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)
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana · Population: 223,699
- Median HH Income$49,944
- Median Home Price$231,011
- Unemployment9.0%
- Bachelor's+35.8%
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
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 99,507 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.2 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 5.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 51.0% | 4.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $33,835 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 24.9% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $313,452 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Baton Rouge +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 22.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 19.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Baton Rouge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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