Manchester NH 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)
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Manchester
115,415
Manchester +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 99,507 | Manchester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 5.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 76.7% | 66.6% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 4.3% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.4% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
San Marcos
11.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $64,146 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $33,835 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $63,758 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 11.9% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 24.9% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Manchester, NH | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 442 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 2339 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 22.3% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 19.7% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 19.7% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 68.5°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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