Jacksonville FL 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)
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
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
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 99,507 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 5.8% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 51.2% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 30.1% | 4.3% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 1.4% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $64,146 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $33,835 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 24.9% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $313,452 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Jacksonville +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 22.3% | Jacksonville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 19.7% | Jacksonville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 19.7% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
San Marcos
68.5°F
San Marcos +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | 68.5°F | San Marcos + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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