Richmond VA 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)
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Richmond
43.2%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Richmond +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 99,507 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.2 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 5.8% | Richmond + |
| White | 43.2% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 42.0% | 4.3% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.4% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $33,835 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,758 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 24.9% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 442 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2339 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 22.3% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 19.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 19.7% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 68.5°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 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, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Richmond, VALos Angeles, CA vs Richmond, VAChicago, IL vs Richmond, VAHouston, TX vs Richmond, VAPhoenix, AZ vs Richmond, VAPhiladelphia, PA vs Richmond, VA