Salt Lake City UT 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)
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
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
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salt Lake City
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Salt Lake City
2.7%
San Marcos
4.3%
San Marcos +
Asian
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Salt Lake City
20.8%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Salt Lake City
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 99,507 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.2 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 5.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 70.5% | 66.6% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 2.7% | 4.3% | San Marcos + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 1.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 20.8% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salt Lake City
$60,713
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Salt Lake City
3.8%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Salt Lake City
13.4%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,925 | $64,146 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,642 | $33,835 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.9% | 24.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salt Lake City
$580,126
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Salt Lake City
46.8%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,126 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.8% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 442 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2339 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
San Marcos
7.9%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
San Marcos
11.0%
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.5% | 33.6% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 7.9% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 22.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 19.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 19.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 11.0% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8°F | 68.5°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 35.7 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Salt Lake City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.3 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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