Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 99,507 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.2 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 5.8% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 28.1% | 4.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 1.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $33,835 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 24.9% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $313,452 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 442 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2339 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
San Marcos
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
San Marcos
11.0%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 22.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Marcos + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and San Marcos has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Indianapolis, IN vs New York, NYIndianapolis, IN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Indianapolis, INHouston, TX vs Indianapolis, INIndianapolis, IN vs Phoenix, AZIndianapolis, IN vs Philadelphia, PA