Eugene OR 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)
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
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
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Eugene +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
San Marcos
4.3%
San Marcos +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 99,507 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 5.8% | Eugene + |
| White | 78.9% | 66.6% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 4.3% | San Marcos + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 1.4% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $33,835 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 24.9% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 442 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Eugene +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 22.3% | Eugene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 19.7% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 19.7% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 68.5°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Eugene +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Eugene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 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, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Eugene has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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