CaliforniaPop. 94,882Smaller cities
Is San Marcos a Good Place to Live? San Marcos, California: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
San Marcos ranks #892 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #372 of 524 smaller cities and #114 of 188 in California. Against similar-size cities it stands out for high graduation rates (94%, #58 of 437), and trails on expensive homes ($868,000, #478 of 524) and high rents ($2,348/mo, #467 of 524).
San Marcos by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with San Marcos's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
No crime figure is shown for San Marcos: its police agency reported only part of the year. See Is San Marcos safe?
What is the cost of living in San Marcos?
San Marcos's cost of living index is 111.9, 12% above the US level of 100 and #1148 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $2,348/mo against $1,633/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $958,381, 25% above the typical California home ($764,158).
| Measure | San Marcos | CaliforniaCA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 102.4 · US 100 | 111.9#1148 of 1,308 | 113 | 102.4 | 100 |
| Typical home value (Zillow)Zillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $431,438 · US $368,697 | $958,381#1111 of 1,187 | $764,158 | $431,438 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rent (Zillow)Zillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,884/mo · US $1,948/mo | $3,357/mo#1066 of 1,115 | — | $1,884/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $401,950 | $868,000#1223 of 1,309 | — | $401,950 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,633/mo | $2,348/mo#1218 of 1,309 | — | $1,633/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 4.5x | 7.9x#1213 of 1,309 | — | 4.5x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 22.2% | 25.8%#1077 of 1,309 | — | 22.2% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). California is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
San Marcos housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. San Marcos is in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro.
California housing market →Is San Marcos safe?
The FBI figures we hold for San Marcos are far below California's rates for a city of 94,882, which usually means the police agency reported only part of the year, so we don't publish them or rank San Marcos on safety. California as a whole records 440 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 373 nationally.
What do people earn in San Marcos?
The median household in San Marcos earns $109,377, 42% above the US figure of $76,827 and 19% above California ($91,905). Unemployment is 4.2% (US 4.2%). 9.2% of residents live below the poverty line. The population fell 0.6% in the latest year (US +0.8%).
| Measure | San Marcos | CaliforniaCA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $83,646 · US $76,827 | $109,377#241 of 1,312 | $91,905 | $83,646 | $76,827 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 4.2% · US 4.2% | 4.2%#576 of 1,058 | 5.4% | 4.2% | 4.2% |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.8% | 9.2%#431 of 1,312 | — | 10.8% | — |
| Population growth, one yearCensus population estimates · rank 1 = fastestSimilar-size +0.2% · US +0.8% | -0.6%#988 of 1,132 | +0.2% | +0.2% | +0.8% |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). California is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in San Marcos?
The median resident of San Marcos is 36.8 years old, against 37.7 in similar-size cities. 43.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #369 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 63.7% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | San Marcos | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 37.7 | 36.8 | 37.7 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 35.1% | 43.8%#369 of 1,312 | 35.1% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 61.7% | 63.7% | 61.7% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are San Marcos's schools and health?
San Marcos's 18 public schools graduate 94% of students in four years (California 85%), with 24.6 students per teacher and $14,458 spent per pupil. 25.3% of adults are obese and 9.5% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 31.9% and 11%.
| Measure | San Marcos | CaliforniaCA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rateDepartment of Education EDFacts · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 89% | 94%#120 of 1,063 | 85% | 89% | — |
| Students per teacherNCES Common Core of Data · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 16.4 | 24.6#1157 of 1,188 | — | 16.4 | — |
| Spending per pupilNCES school finance survey · rank 1 = mostSimilar-size $15,354 | $14,458#651 of 1,188 | — | $15,354 | — |
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 31.9% | 25.3%#152 of 1,311 | — | 31.9% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11% | 9.5%#297 of 1,311 | — | 11% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.7% | 16.9%#618 of 1,311 | — | 16.7% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.1% | 9.4%#575 of 1,311 | — | 10.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). California is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. 18,368 students are enrolled in San Marcos's public schools.
What are the commute and weather like in San Marcos?
The average commute in San Marcos is 26.5 minutes (California 25.2); 0.5% of workers take transit and 20.5% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index San Marcos scores 10.7 of 20 (above average walkable), #624 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 68.3°F and winters 56.2°F, with 11.4 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | San Marcos | CaliforniaCA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 25.1 min | 26.5 min#892 of 1,312 | 25.2 min | 25.1 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 6.5% | 6.8%#808 of 1,312 | 11.9% | 6.5% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 70.8% | 67.7% | 68.4% | 70.8% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.1% | 0.5% | 3.6% | 1.1% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.4% | 1.5% | 2.4% | 1.4% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.2% | 0.6% | 0.7% | 0.2% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 13.7% | 20.5% | 13.6% | 13.7% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 11.1 | 10.7#624 of 1,312 | — | 11.1 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). California is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 65 | 47.8 | 2.5 |
| Feb | 64 | 48.5 | 2.6 |
| Mar | 64.5 | 50.8 | 1.6 |
| Apr | 66.3 | 53.3 | 0.9 |
| May | 67.6 | 57.4 | 0.3 |
| Jun | 69.9 | 60.3 | 0.1 |
| Jul | 74.2 | 64.1 | 0.1 |
| Aug | 75.8 | 65.3 | 0 |
| Sep | 75.7 | 63.6 | 0.1 |
| Oct | 73.3 | 58.9 | 0.5 |
| Nov | 69.5 | 52.1 | 1 |
| Dec | 64.6 | 47.3 | 1.7 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Carlsbad Mcclellan Palomar Airport.
| Measure | San Marcos | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 58.1°F | 62.5°F | 58.1°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 74.2°F | 68.3°F | 74.2°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 40.8°F | 56.2°F | 40.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 38.3 in | 11.4 in | 38.3 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Carlsbad Mcclellan Palomar Airport.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in San Marcos?
San Diego County's air had a median air quality index of 67, and 18% of measured days were rated good; 33 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts San Diego County's biggest natural hazard losses in wildfire, earthquake, and inland flooding, with expected yearly losses of 0.24% of building value, higher than 82% of US counties.
| Measure | San Marcos | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 44 | 67#1035 of 1,138 | 44 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 3 | 33#1022 of 1,138 | 3 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.15% | 0.24%#1033 of 1,312 | 0.15% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for San Diego County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, San Diego County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 0.073% | 97% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.051% | 92% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.1% | 69% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does San Marcos compare with similar-size cities?
San Marcos is one of 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track and ranks #372 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 94,882.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Marcos, CAPop. 94,882 | #892 | 51.9 | $109,377 | $2,348/mo | part year | 26.5 min |
| Reading, PAPop. 95,242 | #1177 | 45.8 | $44,091 | $1,067/mo | 258 | 24.1 min |
| Fort Myers, FLPop. 95,051 | #913 | 51.5 | $63,732 | $1,580/mo | 444 | 25.2 min |
| Toms River, NJPop. 94,956 | #419 | 59.7 | $100,137 | $1,731/mo | no data | 30.1 min |
| Asheville, NCPop. 94,535 | #902 | 51.7 | $71,102 | $1,402/mo | 753 | 18.2 min |
| Sandy, UTPop. 94,291 | #349 | 60.9 | $112,176 | $1,777/mo | 221 | 22.7 min |
| Fall River, MAPop. 94,082 | #1084 | 48.2 | $56,673 | $1,155/mo | 768 | 25.8 min |
| Mount Pleasant, SCPop. 93,993 | #224 | 63.8 | $124,755 | $2,159/mo | 132 | 24.9 min |
| Livonia, MIPop. 93,851 | #200 | 64.4 | $98,460 | $1,322/mo | 217 | 24.3 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does San Marcos compare with the rest of California?
San Marcos ranks #114 of the 188 California cities we track, with a score of 51.9 against California's statewide 42.9. Its households earn 19% above the California median. Homes are 25% above the typical California home.
| City | Rank in CA | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palo Alto, CAPop. 67,237 | #1 | 70.9 | $231,101 | $3,484/mo | 159 |
| Sunnyvale, CAPop. 154,236 | #2 | 69.3 | $186,170 | $3,039/mo | 188 |
| Cupertino, CAPop. 58,566 | #3 | 68.3 | $234,707 | $3,501/mo | 70 |
| Santa Clara, CAPop. 130,256 | #4 | 68.1 | $178,958 | $3,016/mo | 172 |
| Folsom, CAPop. 83,916 | #5 | 68.0 | $139,804 | $2,352/mo | 161 |
| San Mateo, CAPop. 103,105 | #6 | 67.1 | $153,504 | $3,077/mo | 168 |
| Dublin, CAPop. 70,803 | #7 | 66.5 | $214,385 | $3,191/mo | 146 |
| Pleasanton, CAPop. 76,960 | #8 | 65.2 | $190,124 | $3,060/mo | 123 |
| Mountain View, CAPop. 83,732 | #9 | 65.1 | $189,917 | $3,062/mo | 208 |
| Encinitas, CAPop. 61,480 | #10 | 65.1 | $162,229 | $2,886/mo | 108 |
| Westminster, CAPop. 89,860 | … #110 | 52.4 | $85,541 | $2,168/mo | 334 |
| Carson City, CAPop. 92,871 | #111 | 52.3 | $108,703 | $1,956/mo | 436 |
| Anaheim, CAPop. 344,521 | #112 | 52.0 | $95,227 | $2,175/mo | 548 |
| Carmichael, CAPop. 76,948 | #113 | 52.0 | $85,914 | $1,702/mo | no data |
| San Marcos, CAPop. 94,882 | #114 | 51.9 | $109,377 | $2,348/mo | part year |
| Lake Elsinore, CAPop. 72,461 | #115 | 51.9 | $101,888 | $2,078/mo | 116 |
| Menifee, CAPop. 110,305 | #116 | 51.8 | $93,454 | $2,110/mo | 170 |
| Glendale, CAPop. 190,748 | #117 | 51.7 | $88,393 | $2,182/mo | 234 |
| Downey, CAPop. 110,939 | #118 | 51.7 | $90,699 | $1,937/mo | 300 |
The top 10 of the 188 and the cities ranked either side of San Marcos among the California cities we track, by overall score. California statewide: median income $91,905, violent crime 440 per 100,000.
How is San Marcos's score calculated?
San Marcos scores 51.9 out of 100, #892 of 1,312 (grade C, which follows rank). It is scored on the 9 of 11 categories with local data; safety and outdoor access are left out rather than filled with California's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data · 18% of score
Median household income and unemployment in San Marcos. Similar-size median 55.5.
66.5 - HealthCity data · 15% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in San Marcos. Similar-size median 58.9.
70.1 - EducationCity data · 15% of score
Graduation rate, students per teacher and spending per pupil in San Marcos's public schools. Similar-size median 55.2.
47.1 - AffordabilityCity data · 12% of score
San Marcos's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 59.3.
25.6 - Household financesCity data · 10% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in San Marcos. Similar-size median 56.1.
70.9 - GrowthCity data · 9% of score
Population growth and unemployment in San Marcos. Similar-size median 42.4.
34.5 - TransportationCity data · 9% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in San Marcos. Similar-size median 50.0.
54.5 - WalkabilityCity data · 9% of score
The EPA's walkability index across San Marcos's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 53.2.
51.1 - EnvironmentCounty data · 5% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 50.8.
12.0 - SafetyNot scored
San Marcos's police agency has no full year of FBI reports to score.
— - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: San Marcos's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories San Marcos has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in San Marcos
Is San Marcos, CA a good place to live?
San Marcos ranks #892 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #372 of 524 smaller cities and #114 of 188 in California. Against similar-size cities it stands out for high graduation rates (94%, #58 of 437), and trails on expensive homes ($868,000, #478 of 524) and high rents ($2,348/mo, #467 of 524).
What is the cost of living in San Marcos?
San Marcos's cost of living index is 111.9, 12% above the US level of 100 and #1148 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $2,348/mo against $1,633/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $958,381, 25% above the typical California home ($764,158).
Is San Marcos safe?
The FBI figures we hold for San Marcos are far below California's rates for a city of 94,882, which usually means the police agency reported only part of the year, so we don't publish them or rank San Marcos on safety. California as a whole records 440 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 373 nationally.
What is the median household income in San Marcos?
The median household in San Marcos earns $109,377, 42% above the US figure of $76,827 and 19% above California ($91,905). Unemployment is 4.2% (US 4.2%). 9.2% of residents live below the poverty line. The population fell 0.6% in the latest year (US +0.8%).
How much is rent in San Marcos?
Median rent in San Marcos is $2,348/mo (Census), #1218 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Zillow's typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $3,357/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 25.8% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in San Marcos?
Zillow's typical home value in San Marcos is $958,381, up 0.3% in a year, against $764,158 for California and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $868,000.
How are the public schools in San Marcos?
San Marcos's 18 public schools graduate 94% of students in four years (California 85%), with 24.6 students per teacher and $14,458 spent per pupil.
How long is the commute in San Marcos?
The average commute is 26.5 minutes, #892 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 25.2 minutes across California. 6.8% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in San Marcos?
San Marcos averages 62.5°F over the year, 68.3°F in summer and 56.2°F in winter, with 11.4 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is San Marcos walkable?
San Marcos scores 10.7 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (above average walkable), #624 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is San Marcos at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts San Diego County's biggest natural hazard losses in wildfire, earthquake, and inland flooding, with expected yearly losses of 0.24% of building value, higher than 82% of US counties.
How is the air quality in San Marcos?
San Diego County's air had a median air quality index of 67, and 18% of measured days were rated good; 33 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles.
Who lives in San Marcos?
San Marcos has 94,882 residents. The median resident of San Marcos is 36.8 years old, against 37.7 in similar-size cities. 43.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #369 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 63.7% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does San Marcos compare with the rest of California?
San Marcos ranks #114 of the 188 California cities we track, with a score of 51.9 against California's statewide 42.9. Its households earn 19% above the California median. Homes are 25% above the typical California home.
What cities are similar in size to San Marcos?
The tracked cities in other states closest to San Marcos's population of 94,882 are Reading, PA (#1177 overall), Fort Myers, FL (#913 overall), Toms River, NJ (#419 overall), Asheville, NC (#902 overall), and Sandy, UT (#349 overall). San Marcos is #892.