San Marcos TX vs Temecula 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%
Temecula, CA
California · Population: 110,404
- Median HH Income$117,840
- Median Home Price$769,756
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+39.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Temecula
110,404
Temecula +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Temecula
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Temecula
36.3
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Temecula
16.6%
Temecula +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Temecula
57.0%
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Temecula
4.3%
Tie
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Temecula
11.5%
Temecula +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Temecula
28.5%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 110,404 | Temecula + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 36.3 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 16.6% | Temecula + |
| White | 66.6% | 57.0% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 4.3% | 4.3% | Tie |
| Asian | 1.4% | 11.5% | Temecula + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 28.5% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
Temecula
$117,840
Temecula +
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
Temecula
$44,826
Temecula +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
Temecula
$77,230
Temecula +
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Temecula
5.8%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
Temecula
7.4%
Temecula +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Temecula
39.2%
Temecula +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $117,840 | Temecula + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $44,826 | Temecula + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Temecula + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.8% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 7.4% | Temecula + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 39.2% | Temecula + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Temecula
$769,756
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
Temecula
67.7%
Temecula +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $769,756 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 67.7% | Temecula + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Temecula
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
Temecula
2388
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Temecula, 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%
Temecula
33.0%
Temecula +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Temecula
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Temecula
16.6%
Temecula +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Temecula
6.8%
Temecula +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Temecula
15.9%
Temecula +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
Temecula
9.8%
Temecula +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 33.0% | Temecula + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 9.6% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 16.6% | Temecula + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 6.8% | Temecula + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.9% | Temecula + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.8% | Temecula + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Temecula
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Temecula, 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
Temecula
7.9 µg/m³
Temecula +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Temecula
75.0%
Temecula +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Temecula + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Temecula + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Temecula
38.7 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 38.7 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Temecula leads in median household income at $117,840, 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 Temecula. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Temecula has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Temecula scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.0%.
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