San Marcos TX vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Marcos
99,507
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 66.6% | 58.0% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 4.3% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 24.9% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 6.4% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 19.8% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $435,532 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 42.4% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 35.3% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 11.4% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.5% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 48.1 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 27.3 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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