San Marcos TX vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.5 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 66.6% | 57.0% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 4.3% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 19.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $58,407 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,929 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 6.1% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 18.6% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 52.0% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2375 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 37.5% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 12.8% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 14.4% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 16.3% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 41.0 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Tulsa
20.2 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 20.2 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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