Newark NJ 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Newark +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Newark
16.5%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 99,507 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 35.2 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 5.8% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 46.7% | 4.3% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.4% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
San Marcos
24.9%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $33,835 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,758 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 24.9% | San Marcos + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Newark, NJ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 442 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2339 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Newark +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
San Marcos
19.7%
San Marcos +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 22.3% | Newark + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 19.7% | San Marcos + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 19.7% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 68.5°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Newark, NJ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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