San Marcos TX vs Sandy UT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
San Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
San Marcos +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
San Marcos +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 94,723 | San Marcos + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 36.9 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 66.6% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 4.3% | 0.8% | San Marcos + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 11.3% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $60,713 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $672,082 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Sandy
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 8.4% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sandy + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 24.6 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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