Hartford CT 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)
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
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
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Hartford
26.4%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
San Marcos
42.2%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 99,507 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.2 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 5.8% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 36.1% | 4.3% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.4% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 42.2% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
San Marcos
24.9%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $33,835 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $63,758 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 24.9% | San Marcos + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $313,452 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Hartford, CT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 442 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2339 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Hartford +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
San Marcos
19.7%
San Marcos +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 22.3% | Hartford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 19.7% | San Marcos + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 19.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 68.5°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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