San Marcos TX vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.6 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 66.6% | 51.8% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 4.3% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 26.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Tampa
4.7%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.7% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 15.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $376,530 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 50.2% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 12.5% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.7% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.6% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
San Marcos +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 73.4°F | San Marcos + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 46.3 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 26.8 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Tampa 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 Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs San Marcos, TXLos Angeles, CA vs San Marcos, TXChicago, IL vs San Marcos, TXHouston, TX vs San Marcos, TXPhoenix, AZ vs San Marcos, TXPhiladelphia, PA vs San Marcos, TX