Clearwater FL 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)
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
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
Clearwater
117,075
Clearwater +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 99,507 | Clearwater + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 5.8% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 66.6% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 4.3% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.4% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $64,146 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $33,835 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 24.9% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Clearwater +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 33.6% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 22.3% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 19.7% | Clearwater + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.7% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
San Marcos
68.5°F
San Marcos +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 68.5°F | San Marcos + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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