San Marcos TX vs Shreveport LA — 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%
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Shreveport
183,483
Shreveport +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Shreveport
37.5
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
San Marcos +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Shreveport
36.5%
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Shreveport
1.5%
Shreveport +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 183,483 | Shreveport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.5 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 2.6% | San Marcos + |
| White | 66.6% | 36.5% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 4.3% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.5% | Shreveport + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 3.9% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Shreveport
$33,788
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Shreveport
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Shreveport
23.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Shreveport
27.5%
Shreveport +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $48,465 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $33,788 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 8.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 23.6% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 27.5% | Shreveport + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
Shreveport
53.8%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 53.8% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Shreveport
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Shreveport
20.1%
Shreveport +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 43.1% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 17.6% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 20.1% | Shreveport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 9.6% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 14.5% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 19.1% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 52.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Shreveport +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Shreveport +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Shreveport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Shreveport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Shreveport
20.5 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 20.5 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Shreveport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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