Las Vegas NV 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)
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
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
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 99,507 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 5.8% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 11.9% | 4.3% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 1.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Las Vegas +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $64,146 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $33,835 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 24.9% | Las Vegas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Las Vegas +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Las Vegas +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 33.6% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 22.3% | Las Vegas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 19.7% | Las Vegas + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 19.7% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Las Vegas +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 68.5°F | Las Vegas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 35.7 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Vegas
27.7 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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