San Marcos TX vs Springfield MA — 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, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 66.6% | 40.8% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 4.3% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.8% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
San Marcos +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $51,339 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $27,054 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 8.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 25.3% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 19.7% | San Marcos + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 49.5% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Springfield
21.1%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Springfield
13.7%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 39.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 14.8% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 21.1% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 13.7% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 17.5% | 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
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Springfield
22.6 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 22.6 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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