Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Chicago
39.1%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 99,507 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 5.8% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 28.4% | 4.3% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 1.4% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $64,146 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $33,835 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 24.9% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Chicago +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 33.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 22.3% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 19.7% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 19.7% | Chicago + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 68.5°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Marcos + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and San Marcos has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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