San Marcos TX vs St. Louis 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
St. Louis
6.6%
St. Louis +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 36.6 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 6.6% | St. Louis + |
| White | 66.6% | 45.7% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 4.3% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 5.1% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $55,279 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.1% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 19.8% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 45.4% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | St. Louis, 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 +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
St. Louis
17.9%
St. Louis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 36.8% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 13.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 17.9% | St. Louis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 16.8% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | St. Louis, MO | 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
San Marcos +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | St. Louis, 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 +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 24.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. 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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