Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 99,507 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 35.2 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 5.8% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 34.1% | 4.3% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 1.4% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
San Marcos
11.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $64,146 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $33,835 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 11.9% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 24.9% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 33.6% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 22.3% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 19.7% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 19.7% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 68.5°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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