Providence RI 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)
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
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
Providence
190,214
Providence +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Providence
40.7%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
San Marcos
42.2%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 99,507 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 35.2 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 5.8% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 13.3% | 4.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 1.4% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 42.2% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $64,146 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $33,835 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $63,758 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 24.9% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 442 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 2339 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 22.3% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 19.7% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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