San Marcos TX vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.3 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 66.6% | 59.4% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 4.3% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 13.1% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.3% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 12.0% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $496,966 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 56.5% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 37.3% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 10.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 39.2 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 31.1 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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