San Marcos TX vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
San Marcos +
Topeka
5.3%
White
San Marcos
66.6%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 38.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 5.3% | San Marcos + |
| White | 66.6% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 4.3% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 16.9% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $55,902 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $33,290 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 15.6% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 59.2% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 39.7% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 13.1% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 16.9% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 39.0 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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