San Marcos TX vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
San Marcos +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
San Marcos
66.6%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
San Marcos +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.5 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 5.7% | San Marcos + |
| White | 66.6% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 4.3% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.3% | San Marcos + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 8.9% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $63,900 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.6% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 16.3% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 46.8% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 42.7% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 13.1% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.4% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 20.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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