San Marcos TX vs Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
San Marcos +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 66.6% | 31.9% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 4.3% | 2.1% | San Marcos + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 16.1% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.4% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $720,443 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 41.2% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
Santa Rosa
11.3%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 10.4% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.3% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Santa Rosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 59.2°F | Santa Rosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 25.2 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Rosa. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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