Rancho Cucamonga CA 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)
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
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
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 174,693 | 99,507 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 21.1% | 5.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| White | 44.0% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 8.3% | 4.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Asian | 15.4% | 1.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Marcos
11.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,511 | $64,146 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,626 | $33,835 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.0% | 11.9% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 24.9% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $791,317 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
503
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Marcos
11.0%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 33.6% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 22.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 19.7% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 19.7% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 11.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 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.)
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.6 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, 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 503 in Rancho Cucamonga. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rancho Cucamonga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rancho Cucamonga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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