Saint Paul MN 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)
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
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
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 99,507 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.2 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 5.8% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 53.2% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 16.2% | 4.3% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 1.4% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $64,146 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $33,835 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $63,758 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 24.9% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $313,452 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 442 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2339 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
San Marcos
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
San Marcos
11.0%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 22.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | 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.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Saint Paul + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Saint Paul
24.1 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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