San Antonio TX 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)
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
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
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Antonio
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
San Antonio
48.3%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
San Antonio
7.0%
San Antonio +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
San Marcos
42.2%
Spanish at Home
San Antonio
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 99,507 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.2 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 14.3% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| White | 48.3% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 7.0% | 4.3% | San Antonio + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.4% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 64.4% | 42.2% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Antonio
$62,917
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
San Antonio
$32,983
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Antonio
$63,758
San Marcos
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
San Antonio
5.8%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
San Antonio
17.1%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Antonio
28.7%
San Antonio +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,917 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,983 | $33,835 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.1% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 24.9% | San Antonio + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
San Antonio
52.4%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,035 | $313,452 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.4% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
442
San Marcos
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
2339
San Marcos
2339
Tie
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
34.9%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
15.2%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
24.5%
San Marcos
19.7%
San Marcos +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
13.0%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.9% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 22.3% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 19.7% | San Marcos + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 19.7% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
68.5°F
San Marcos
68.5°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 68.5°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 35.7 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Antonio
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Antonio
26.5 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and San Marcos has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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