High Point NC 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)
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
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
High Point
115,263
High Point +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
High Point
46.1%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 99,507 | High Point + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 5.8% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 32.7% | 4.3% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.4% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | High Point, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $33,835 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 24.9% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | High Point, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $313,452 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | High Point, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | High Point, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 22.3% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 19.7% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 19.7% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | High Point, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 68.5°F | High Point + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | High Point, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | High Point + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | High Point, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
Compare More Cities
High Point, NC vs New York, NYHigh Point, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs High Point, NCHigh Point, NC vs Houston, TXHigh Point, NC vs Phoenix, AZHigh Point, NC vs Philadelphia, PA