Phoenix AZ 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 99,507 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 35.2 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 5.8% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 7.8% | 4.3% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 1.4% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $64,146 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $33,835 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 24.9% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2339 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Phoenix +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 33.6% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 22.3% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 19.7% | Phoenix + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.7% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
San Marcos
68.5°F
San Marcos +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 68.5°F | San Marcos + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | 35.7 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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