San Marcos TX vs Waco 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Waco
54.0%
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 66.6% | 54.0% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 4.3% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 29.9% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
Waco
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $51,468 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $28,819 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.4% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 24.0% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 48.9% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
Waco
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
Waco
2339
Tie
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Waco, 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 +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
San Marcos +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 36.8% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 13.0% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 20.4% | San Marcos + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.1% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Waco
66.6°F
Waco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 66.6°F | Waco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 36.4 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Waco, 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
San Marcos +
Waco
19.7 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 19.7 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Waco 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%.
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