Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Houston
35.5%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
San Marcos
42.2%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 99,507 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.2 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 5.8% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 22.9% | 4.3% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 1.4% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 42.2% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
San Marcos
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $33,835 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 24.9% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $313,452 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
San Marcos
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
San Marcos
2339
Tie
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
38.0%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
San Marcos
19.7%
San Marcos +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 22.3% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 19.7% | San Marcos + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. 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%.
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