Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Raleigh
53.8%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 99,507 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.2 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 5.8% | Raleigh + |
| White | 53.8% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 27.5% | 4.3% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 1.4% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
San Marcos
11.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $64,146 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $33,835 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 11.9% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 24.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
San Marcos
11.0%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 33.6% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 22.3% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 19.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 19.7% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.0% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | 68.5°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Raleigh, NCLos Angeles, CA vs Raleigh, NCChicago, IL vs Raleigh, NCHouston, TX vs Raleigh, NCPhoenix, AZ vs Raleigh, NCPhiladelphia, PA vs Raleigh, NC