San Marcos TX vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
San Marcos +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Wilmington
1.6%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 71,124 | San Marcos + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.0 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 66.6% | 32.4% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 4.3% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.6% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 11.8% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $55,269 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 7.6% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 23.2% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $327,117 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 46.0% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 41.0% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 16.0% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 12.7% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 16.4% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 49.3 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 25.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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