San Marcos TX vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 66.6% | 51.9% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 4.3% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 10.3% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $45,845 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $27,570 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 7.4% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 29.6% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 41.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Syracuse
20.8%
Syracuse +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 41.5% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 12.7% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 20.8% | Syracuse + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 16.1% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 41.5 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Syracuse
19.3 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 19.3 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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