Orem UT 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)
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
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
Orem
86,973
San Marcos
99,507
San Marcos +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Orem
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Orem
33.3
Orem +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Orem
1.9%
San Marcos
4.3%
San Marcos +
Asian
Orem
1.6%
Orem +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Orem
30.6%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Orem
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 86,973 | 99,507 | San Marcos + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 35.2 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 5.8% | Orem + |
| White | 77.1% | 66.6% | Orem + |
| Black | 1.9% | 4.3% | San Marcos + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.4% | Orem + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Orem
$33,579
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Orem
$60,713
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Orem
4.0%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Orem
12.7%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Orem
25.6%
Orem +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Orem, UT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,053 | $64,146 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $33,835 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.6% | 24.9% | Orem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Orem
$509,396
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Orem
60.9%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Orem, UT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $509,396 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.9% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
245
Orem +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
1931
Orem +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Orem, UT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 442 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2339 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
San Marcos
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
San Marcos
11.0%
| Metric | Orem, UT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 33.6% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 7.9% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 22.3% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 19.7% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 19.7% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 11.0% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Orem, UT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 68.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.3 in | 35.7 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Orem
75.0%
Orem +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Orem, UT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Orem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Orem
24.5 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Orem, UT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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