Portland OR 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)
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
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
Portland
642,715
Portland +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 99,507 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| White | 70.1% | 66.6% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 4.3% | Portland + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 1.4% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $64,146 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $33,835 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 24.9% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 442 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 33.6% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 22.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 19.7% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 19.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 68.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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