San Marcos TX vs Tallahassee 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 66.6% | 50.7% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 4.3% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 8.6% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $55,931 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 6.5% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 23.2% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 39.5% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Tallahassee
34.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Tallahassee
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Tallahassee
20.3%
Tallahassee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tallahassee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tallahassee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
Tallahassee
12.2%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 34.1% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 9.6% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 20.3% | Tallahassee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 13.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.2% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Tallahassee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 67.6°F | Tallahassee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 58.1 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tallahassee + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Tallahassee
20.3 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 20.3 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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