Los Angeles CA 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- 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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
San Marcos
42.2%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 99,507 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 5.8% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 8.5% | 4.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 1.4% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 42.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $64,146 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $33,835 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 24.9% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 33.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 22.3% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 19.7% | Los Angeles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 19.7% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Los Angeles +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 68.5°F | Los Angeles + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 35.7 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Los Angeles +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Los Angeles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 503 in Los Angeles. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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