Cities › Texas

Cost of Living in San Marcos, TX

Population 70,897 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,322
Median home value$310,400
Median household income$51,281

The median rent in San Marcos, TX is $1,322/month, 6% lower than the Texas median and 6% lower than the U.S. median. The median home value is $310,400, 7% lower than the national median. Households earn a median of $51,281 a year, 35% lower than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 30.9%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $52,880/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 6.1×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $1,570/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

San Marcos vs. Texas vs. U.S.

San MarcosTexasU.S.
Median rent$1,322$1,403$1,413
Median home value$310,400$283,800$332,700
Median household income$51,281$78,476$80,734
Homeownership rate30.8%62.6%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher38.3%33.8%35.7%
Poverty rate26.9%13.8%12.5%
Unemployment rate5.2%5.3%5.2%
Work from home11.1%14.4%15.1%
Median age25.535.638.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in San Marcos, TX?

The median gross rent in San Marcos, TX is $1,322 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in San Marcos, TX?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $52,880 a year in gross income.

Is San Marcos, TX expensive to live in?

Rent there is 6% lower than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 6.1 times the median household income.

Other cities in Texas

Houston, TXRent $1,361 · Income $64,813San Antonio, TXRent $1,324 · Income $65,056Dallas, TXRent $1,472 · Income $70,518Austin, TXRent $1,729 · Income $93,658Fort Worth, TXRent $1,509 · Income $79,507El Paso, TXRent $1,073 · Income $59,745

Cities with a similar cost of living

Daytona Beach, FLRent $1,328 · Income $52,058Oildale, CARent $1,281 · Income $51,298Union City, GARent $1,330 · Income $49,549Trenton, NJRent $1,294 · Income $52,537Blacksburg, VARent $1,359 · Income $50,182Maple Heights, OHRent $1,338 · Income $53,414

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Explore more

Wix Alternatives for Small Businesses & Freelancers (2026)Best Web Hosting for First-Time Site Owners (2026)Mortgage Payment CalculatorDiscount CalculatorPlay: Tide Pool PopPlay: Orbit Dodge
Get the best finds weekly

New tools, top deals and new pages — one short email a week. No spam.