Gresham 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Gresham +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Gresham +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 99,507 | Gresham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 5.8% | Gresham + |
| White | 67.7% | 66.6% | Gresham + |
| Black | 4.4% | 4.3% | Gresham + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.4% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Gresham +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
San Marcos
24.9%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $64,146 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $33,835 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 24.9% | San Marcos + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Gresham +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 442 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Gresham +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Gresham +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Gresham +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 33.6% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 22.3% | Gresham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 19.7% | Gresham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 19.7% | Gresham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Gresham, OR | 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.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Gresham +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gresham, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Gresham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Gresham 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 Gresham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
Compare More Cities
Gresham, OR vs New York, NYGresham, OR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Gresham, ORGresham, OR vs Houston, TXGresham, OR vs Phoenix, AZGresham, OR vs Philadelphia, PA