San Marcos TX vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Springfield
113,714
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
San Marcos +
Springfield
4.5%
White
San Marcos
66.6%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 113,714 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 40.7 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 4.5% | San Marcos + |
| White | 66.6% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 4.3% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.9% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 3.4% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 6.7% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 16.5% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Springfield
16.7%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
Springfield
14.7%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 41.1% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 12.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.7% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.7% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
Springfield
37.7 in
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 37.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | San Marcos + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Springfield
19.4 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 19.4 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and San Marcos has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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