San Marcos TX vs Tyler TX — 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%
Tyler, TX
Texas · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$253,191
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Tyler
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Tyler
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
Tyler
N/A
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Tyler
N/A
White
San Marcos
66.6%
Tyler
N/A
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Tyler
N/A
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Tyler
N/A
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
Tyler
N/A
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Tyler
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tyler, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 66.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 4.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.4% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
Tyler
N/A
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
Tyler
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
Tyler
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
Tyler
N/A
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
Tyler
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Tyler
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tyler, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
Tyler
$253,191
Tyler +
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
Tyler
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tyler, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $253,191 | Tyler + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
Tyler
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
Tyler
2339
Tie
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tyler, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Tyler
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Tyler
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Tyler
18.2%
Tyler +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Tyler
16.9%
Tyler +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Tyler
15.8%
Tyler +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
Tyler
13.3%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tyler, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 37.5% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 13.4% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 18.2% | Tyler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.9% | Tyler + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.8% | Tyler + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 13.3% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Tyler
65.6°F
Tyler +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
Tyler
46.6 in
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tyler, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 65.6°F | Tyler + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 46.6 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Tyler
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Tyler
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tyler, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
Tyler
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Tyler, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Tyler offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,191. On public safety, Tyler is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. Tyler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs San Marcos, TXLos Angeles, CA vs San Marcos, TXChicago, IL vs San Marcos, TXHouston, TX vs San Marcos, TXPhoenix, AZ vs San Marcos, TXPhiladelphia, PA vs San Marcos, TX