Riverside 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)
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
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
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Riverside
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Riverside
39.2%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
San Marcos
42.2%
Spanish at Home
Riverside
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Riverside, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 99,507 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 35.2 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 22.4% | 5.8% | Riverside + |
| White | 39.2% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 6.0% | 4.3% | Riverside + |
| Asian | 8.3% | 1.4% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 54.6% | 42.2% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Riverside
$33,716
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Riverside
6.0%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Riverside
12.5%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Riverside
25.7%
Riverside +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,575 | $64,146 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,716 | $33,835 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 24.9% | Riverside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Riverside
$648,603
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Riverside
56.3%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $648,603 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
503
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
2388
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Riverside, 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
Riverside
36.7%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.2%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.5%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 22.3% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 19.7% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 19.7% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
66.8°F
Riverside +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Riverside, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.8°F | 68.5°F | Riverside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | 35.7 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Riverside
34.1 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, 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 Riverside. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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