Miami FL 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)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
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
Miami
446,663
Miami +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Miami
34.2%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Miami
13.7%
Miami +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Miami
1.6%
Miami +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
San Marcos
42.2%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 99,507 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 5.8% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 13.7% | 4.3% | Miami + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.4% | Miami + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 42.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $33,835 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 24.9% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Miami +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Miami +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
San Marcos
19.7%
San Marcos +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 33.6% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 22.3% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 19.7% | San Marcos + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 19.7% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
San Marcos
68.5°F
San Marcos +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | 68.5°F | San Marcos + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
Miami +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Miami + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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