Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Elizabeth +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
San Marcos
42.2%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 99,507 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 5.8% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 17.1% | 4.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 42.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
San Marcos
24.9%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $33,835 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,758 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 24.9% | San Marcos + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 442 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2339 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
San Marcos
19.7%
San Marcos +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 22.3% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 19.7% | San Marcos + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 19.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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