San Diego 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 Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
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
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
San Diego
50.4%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 99,507 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 5.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 50.4% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 5.7% | 4.3% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 1.4% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
San Marcos
11.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $64,146 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $33,835 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 11.9% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 24.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | San Diego, 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 Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
San Marcos
11.0%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 33.6% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 22.3% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 19.7% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 19.7% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.0% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
San Diego +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | San Diego, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | 68.5°F | San Diego + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 35.7 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Diego
25.9 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 Diego. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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