San Marcos TX vs Sunnyvale CA — 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
San Marcos +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 66.6% | 30.4% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 4.3% | 1.5% | San Marcos + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 16.7% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.1% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $2,144,024 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 43.8% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 8.3% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sunnyvale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 25.3 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sunnyvale. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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