San Marcos TX vs Santa Ana CA — 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
San Marcos +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 91,535 | San Marcos + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 42.9 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 66.6% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 4.3% | 4.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 16.4% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 6.1% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $865,610 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 28.8% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Ana +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
San Marcos +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 13.0% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 18.7% | Santa Ana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 20.7% | San Marcos + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.6% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Santa Ana +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 65.6°F | Santa Ana + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 28.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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