Lafayette LA 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)
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
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
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Lafayette
59.1%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 99,507 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 5.8% | Lafayette + |
| White | 59.1% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 28.6% | 4.3% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.4% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $33,835 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 24.9% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $313,452 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Lafayette +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 22.3% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 19.7% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 19.7% | Lafayette + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Lafayette +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 68.5°F | Lafayette + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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