Dallas TX 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Dallas
41.9%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 99,507 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.2 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 5.8% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 23.7% | 4.3% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.4% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
San Marcos
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $64,146 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $33,835 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 24.9% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $313,452 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
San Marcos
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
San Marcos
2339
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
San Marcos
19.7%
San Marcos +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Dallas +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 22.3% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 19.7% | San Marcos + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 19.7% | Dallas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Dallas +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 68.5°F | Dallas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. 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, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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