Irving 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)
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
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
Irving
255,036
Irving +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irving
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Irving
32.8
Irving +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Irving
36.7%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Irving
12.9%
Irving +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
San Marcos
42.2%
Spanish at Home
Irving
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Irving, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 99,507 | Irving + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 35.2 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 41.9% | 5.8% | Irving + |
| White | 36.7% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 12.9% | 4.3% | Irving + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 1.4% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 43.0% | 42.2% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Irving
$39,462
Irving +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irving
$63,758
San Marcos
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Irving
4.3%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
San Marcos
11.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Irving, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,641 | $64,146 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,462 | $33,835 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 11.9% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.6% | 24.9% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irving
$344,888
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Irving
38.3%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Irving, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,888 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.3% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
442
San Marcos
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
2339
San Marcos
2339
Tie
| Metric | Irving, 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
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
10.5%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irving
16.2%
Irving +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irving
20.6%
San Marcos
19.7%
San Marcos +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irving
17.0%
Irving +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irving
11.2%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Irving, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.6% | 33.6% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 22.3% | Irving + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 19.7% | San Marcos + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 19.7% | Irving + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Irving, TX | 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.)
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irving
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irving, 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
Irving
26.0 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Irving, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Irving. 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, Irving scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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