San Marcos TX vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.5 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 66.6% | 61.8% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 4.3% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 8.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $871,599 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 44.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Seattle
19.0%
Seattle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 19.0% | Seattle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 37.5 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 28.8 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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