San Marcos TX vs Waterbury CT — 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%
Waterbury, CT
Connecticut · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$280,921
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Waterbury
N/A
White
San Marcos
66.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Waterbury, CT | 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
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Waterbury, CT | 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 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| 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
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Waterbury
19.1%
Waterbury +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Waterbury
18.5%
Waterbury +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 40.5% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 14.1% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 19.1% | Waterbury + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 18.5% | Waterbury + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 16.2% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Waterbury, CT | 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
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Waterbury +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Waterbury + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Waterbury offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $280,921. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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