Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 99,507 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.2 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 5.8% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 20.4% | 4.3% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 1.4% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
San Marcos
24.9%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $33,835 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 24.9% | San Marcos + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $313,452 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2339 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Kansas City +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 22.3% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 19.7% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 19.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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