Glendale CA 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)
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
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
Glendale
192,270
Glendale +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Glendale
1.7%
San Marcos
4.3%
San Marcos +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 99,507 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 51.0% | 5.8% | Glendale + |
| White | 67.4% | 66.6% | Glendale + |
| Black | 1.7% | 4.3% | San Marcos + |
| Asian | 13.3% | 1.4% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 18.5% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,262 | $64,146 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,597 | $33,835 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.5% | 24.9% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,205,826 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.3% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 33.6% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 22.3% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 19.7% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.7% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Glendale +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Glendale, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1°F | 68.5°F | Glendale + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 35.7 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Glendale +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Glendale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
30.2 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Glendale. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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