San Marcos TX vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
San Marcos +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 107,699 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 4.7% | San Marcos + |
| White | 66.6% | 49.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 4.3% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 5.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $48,536 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $31,324 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 7.0% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 23.8% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 45.1% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
Tuscaloosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 42.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 12.0% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 21.3% | Tuscaloosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.7% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Tuscaloosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 65.0°F | Tuscaloosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 55.0 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 20.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Tuscaloosa 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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