Kent WA 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)
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
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
Kent
84,389
San Marcos
99,507
San Marcos +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Kent
2.3%
San Marcos
4.3%
San Marcos +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Kent +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 99,507 | San Marcos + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 5.8% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 66.6% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 4.3% | San Marcos + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.4% | Kent + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Kent, WA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $64,146 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $33,835 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 24.9% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Kent, WA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Kent, WA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
San Marcos
11.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 33.6% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 22.3% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 19.7% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 19.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.0% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Kent, WA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 68.5°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Kent, WA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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