San Marcos TX vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.7 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 66.6% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 4.3% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 18.4% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $63,072 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.7% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 15.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
Wichita
58.4%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 58.4% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 39.5% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 12.6% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 16.3% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wichita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Wichita
20.2 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 20.2 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Wichita 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs San Marcos, TXLos Angeles, CA vs San Marcos, TXChicago, IL vs San Marcos, TXHouston, TX vs San Marcos, TXPhoenix, AZ vs San Marcos, TXPhiladelphia, PA vs San Marcos, TX