Kansas City MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
508,233
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
35.7
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Kansas City
57.8%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 99,507 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 5.8% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.8% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 25.8% | 4.3% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.4% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $64,146 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $33,835 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 24.9% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $313,452 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 22.3% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 19.7% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 68.5°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Marcos + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. 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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