San Marcos TX vs St. Petersburg FL — 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. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
St. Petersburg
10.1%
St. Petersburg +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
St. Petersburg
66.2%
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
St. Petersburg
3.1%
St. Petersburg +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 43.1 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 10.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| White | 66.6% | 66.2% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 4.3% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 9.3% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
St. Petersburg
4.9%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | St. Petersburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
St. Petersburg
$331,500
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
St. Petersburg
63.0%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $331,500 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 63.0% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
St. Petersburg
12.4%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 32.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 12.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 11.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.4% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | St. Petersburg, FL | 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
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 26.8 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Petersburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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