Chandler AZ 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)
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
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
Chandler
278,123
Chandler +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chandler
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Chandler
37.4
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Chandler
62.6%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Chandler
5.2%
Chandler +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Chandler
21.4%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Chandler
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,123 | 99,507 | Chandler + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 5.8% | Chandler + |
| White | 62.6% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 5.2% | 4.3% | Chandler + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 1.4% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Chandler
$51,746
Chandler +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chandler
$59,120
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Chandler
3.6%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
San Marcos
11.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chandler
46.8%
Chandler +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,691 | $64,146 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,746 | $33,835 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 11.9% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 24.9% | Chandler + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chandler
$524,013
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
San Marcos
63.3%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $524,013 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | 63.3% | Chandler + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
450
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
2150
Chandler +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2339 | Chandler + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
28.2%
Chandler +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.1%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.7%
Chandler +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chandler
16.7%
Chandler +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
San Marcos
11.0%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.2% | 33.6% | Chandler + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.1% | 22.3% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 19.7% | Chandler + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.7% | Chandler + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.0% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | 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.)
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chandler
75.0%
Chandler +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Chandler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chandler + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chandler
26.1 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, 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 450 in Chandler. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Chandler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chandler scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.2%.
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