Norfolk VA 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)
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
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
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Norfolk
44.0%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 99,507 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.2 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 5.8% | Norfolk + |
| White | 44.0% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 39.8% | 4.3% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.4% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $33,835 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,758 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 24.9% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $313,452 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 442 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2339 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 22.3% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 19.7% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 19.7% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 68.5°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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