San Marcos TX vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
San Marcos +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 49.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 66.6% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 4.3% | 2.0% | San Marcos + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 9.4% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Scottsdale
3.4%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 3.4% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $858,307 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 9.4% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
San Marcos +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 72.5°F | San Marcos + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 23.2 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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