Miami Gardens 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 Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
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 Gardens
11,627
San Marcos
99,507
San Marcos +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami Gardens
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Miami Gardens
37.7
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Miami Gardens
52.5%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Miami Gardens +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Miami Gardens +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Miami Gardens
34.0%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Miami Gardens
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,627 | 99,507 | San Marcos + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 29.1% | 5.8% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 52.5% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 15.3% | 4.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 1.4% | Miami Gardens + |
| Hispanic | 34.0% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Miami Gardens
6.5%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
San Marcos
11.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,873 | $64,146 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,003 | $33,835 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Miami Gardens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.9% | 11.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.7% | 24.9% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami Gardens
$472,888
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
San Marcos
63.3%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,888 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.7% | 63.3% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
34.3%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
17.3%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
22.4%
San Marcos
19.7%
San Marcos +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
15.4%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 22.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 19.7% | San Marcos + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 19.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Miami Gardens +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Miami Gardens + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.2 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Miami Gardens 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 Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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