Des Moines IA 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)
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 99,507 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.2 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 5.8% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 66.6% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 4.3% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.4% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $33,835 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 24.9% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $313,452 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 442 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2339 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
San Marcos
19.7%
San Marcos +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 22.3% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 19.7% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 19.7% | San Marcos + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 68.5°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 35.7 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Marcos + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 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, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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