San Bernardino 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)
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
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 Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Bernardino
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
San Bernardino
27.6%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
San Bernardino
11.8%
San Bernardino +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
San Marcos
42.2%
Spanish at Home
San Bernardino
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,774 | 99,507 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.2 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 22.9% | 5.8% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 27.6% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 11.8% | 4.3% | San Bernardino + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 1.4% | San Bernardino + |
| Hispanic | 69.6% | 42.2% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Bernardino
$63,988
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
San Bernardino
$23,980
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
San Bernardino
6.5%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
San Bernardino
19.5%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Bernardino
12.8%
San Marcos
24.9%
San Marcos +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,988 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,980 | $33,835 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.8% | 24.9% | San Marcos + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Bernardino
$492,059
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
San Bernardino
48.5%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $492,059 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
503
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
2388
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | San Bernardino, 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
San Bernardino
37.1%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
13.6%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Bernardino
20.0%
San Bernardino +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
20.2%
San Marcos
19.7%
San Marcos +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.1%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 22.3% | San Bernardino + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.2% | 19.7% | San Marcos + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 19.7% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | 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.)
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Bernardino
75.0%
San Bernardino +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | San Bernardino + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Bernardino
30.7 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.7 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, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Bernardino. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and San Bernardino 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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