San Marcos TX vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.4 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 66.6% | 61.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 4.3% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 8.9% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.3% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $427,121 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 36.5% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 11.8% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.1% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 25.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Virginia Beach 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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