San Marcos TX vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 66.6% | 60.1% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 4.3% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 23.1% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.7% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 16.2% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $468,328 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 41.6% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Tempe
18.3%
Tempe +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 18.3% | Tempe + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
San Marcos +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 71.3°F | San Marcos + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 23.2 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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