San Marcos TX vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
San Marcos +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.5 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 66.6% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 4.3% | 3.1% | San Marcos + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 17.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.6% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $510,577 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 49.9% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Vancouver
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Vancouver
19.1%
Vancouver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
Vancouver
11.7%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 36.2% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 9.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 19.1% | Vancouver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.7% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 41.6 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 25.1 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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