Provo 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)
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
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
Provo
114,303
Provo +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Provo
1.1%
San Marcos
4.3%
San Marcos +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Provo +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 99,507 | Provo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 35.2 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 5.8% | Provo + |
| White | 78.6% | 66.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 4.3% | San Marcos + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.4% | Provo + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Provo, UT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $33,835 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 24.9% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Provo, UT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Provo +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Provo, UT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 442 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2339 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
San Marcos
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Provo +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
San Marcos
11.0%
| Metric | Provo, UT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 33.6% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 7.9% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 22.3% | Provo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 19.7% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 19.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 11.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Provo, UT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | 68.5°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | 35.7 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Provo +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Provo, UT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Provo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Provo, UT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Provo 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 Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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