San Marcos TX vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
San Marcos +
Springfield
3.8%
White
San Marcos
66.6%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
San Marcos +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Springfield
1.7%
Springfield +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 169,432 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 3.8% | San Marcos + |
| White | 66.6% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 4.3% | 4.3% | San Marcos + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.7% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 5.6% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Springfield
4.3%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $45,984 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $30,864 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.3% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 19.4% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 30.3% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 42.9% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 501 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2418 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Springfield
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 37.7% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 11.1% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 17.1% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 56.3°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 45.6 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
19.5 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 19.5 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 $245,279. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs San Marcos, TXLos Angeles, CA vs San Marcos, TXChicago, IL vs San Marcos, TXHouston, TX vs San Marcos, TXPhoenix, AZ vs San Marcos, TXPhiladelphia, PA vs San Marcos, TX