Fort Worth 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)
Fort Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
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
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Fort Worth +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Fort Worth +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 99,507 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.2 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 5.8% | Fort Worth + |
| White | 47.7% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 19.5% | 4.3% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 1.4% | Fort Worth + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Fort Worth +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Fort Worth +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
San Marcos
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Fort Worth +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | $64,146 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | $33,835 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 24.9% | Fort Worth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Fort Worth +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $313,452 | Fort Worth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
San Marcos
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
San Marcos
2339
Tie
| Metric | Fort Worth, 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
Fort Worth
34.6%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Fort Worth +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
San Marcos
19.7%
San Marcos +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Fort Worth +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 22.3% | Fort Worth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 19.7% | San Marcos + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 19.7% | Fort Worth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Fort Worth +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.8°F | 68.5°F | Fort Worth + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Worth, 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
Fort Worth
29.0 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Worth leads in median household income at $76,602, while fort Worth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,655. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Fort Worth. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Worth, TX vs New York, NYFort Worth, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Worth, TXFort Worth, TX vs Houston, TXFort Worth, TX vs Phoenix, AZFort Worth, TX vs Philadelphia, PA