Living in San Marcos, TX
Small city in Texas
San Marcos is a small city in Texas, home to about 69,000 people, with 490,000 living within 31 mi. Day to day, there is some transit, though many people drive. Life moves at a relaxed pace, and homes are mostly apartments.
Is San Marcos a good place to live? Pros and cons
👍 Pros
- Strong healthcare: 3 top-rated (4–5★) hospitals within 31 mi
- Easy flying: AUS is 28 mi away
- Affordable housing: a typical 3-bedroom home is about $286k and rents for $2,350 a month
- Low natural disaster risk: 9 federally declared disasters since 2000
👎 Cons
- Fewer family amenities than most places
- Few dog parks: 1 within 9 mi
- Quieter on culture: few museums and attractions nearby
- Hot summers: highs around 95°F
Whether it's a good place for you depends on what you value. Take the quiz to see how San Marcos ranks against your own priorities.
Key facts
Living in San Marcos: common questions
What is the cost of living in San Marcos?
A typical 3-bedroom home is worth about $286k, and a 3-bedroom rents for about $2,350 a month including utilities. Overall living costs are close to the US average (index 98, where the US is 100).
What are taxes like in San Marcos?
Texas has no state income tax, and homeowners here pay about 1.62% of their home's value in property tax each year.
Is San Marcos safe?
Violent crime is close to the national rate (1.0× in FBI 2019 data).
What is the weather like in San Marcos?
San Marcos has mild winters: winter days average around 64°F and summer days around 95°F.
Does San Marcos get natural disasters?
Natural disaster risk is moderate, mainly from flooding and tornadoes: 9 federally declared disasters have hit the county since 2000, and FEMA expects about 1.34 deaths or injuries per 100,000 residents a year.
What is the nearest major airport to San Marcos?
The nearest major airport is AUS, about 28 mi away.
How San Marcos scores
Each bar compares San Marcos with the other 1143 places in Best Life Fit Me. A dot shows where it sits between two ends, such as major metro and small town; neither end is better. Coloured bars run from poor (red) to excellent (green).
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Is San Marcos right for you?
Answer 27 quick questions and see how it ranks against your priorities.