San Marcos TX vs Visalia CA — 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 135,983 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 66.6% | 36.5% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 4.3% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
San Marcos +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $26,955 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 11.6% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 20.0% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 12.4% | San Marcos + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
Visalia
58.5%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $397,983 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 58.5% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Visalia
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Visalia
13.0%
Visalia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Visalia
16.8%
Visalia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
Visalia
12.0%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 11.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 13.0% | Visalia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.8% | Visalia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Visalia
63.3°F
Visalia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 63.3°F | Visalia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Visalia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 41.6 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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