salaryRent is lower than in 69% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.6 years of household income. Most households rent (69%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $52,320 a year. That is $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Texas cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Texas. It is number 168 of 426 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in San Marcos?
Share of households by yearly income. 12.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in San Marcos
| Size | San Marcos | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,382 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,301 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,447 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,721 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $995 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is San Marcos overall?
Everyday prices in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro area are 2% below the U.S. average (index 98.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in San Marcos
Life in San Marcos
What jobs pay in San Marcos
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $153,330 | 10.2% |
| Pharmacist | $151,290 | 10.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $134,550 | 11.7% |
| Software Developer | $134,120 | 11.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,050 | 12.3% |
| Operations Manager | $117,850 | 13.3% |
| Dental Hygienist | $105,480 | 14.9% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $104,590 | 15.0% |
| Civil Engineer | $100,470 | 15.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $97,890 | 16.0% |
| Accountant | $83,120 | 18.9% |
| Police Officer | $82,290 | 19.1% |
| Market Research Analyst | $80,460 | 19.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,580 | 24.3% |
| Plumber | $62,810 | 25.0% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,270 | 25.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $60,820 | 25.8% |
| Electrician | $60,390 | 26.0% |
| Firefighter | $58,830 | 26.7% |
| Truck Driver | $57,110 | 27.5% |
| Carpenter | $50,260 | 31.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,820 | 34.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $43,720 | 35.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,550 | 40.7% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,530 | 40.7% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,810 | 42.6% |
| Cashier | $33,940 | 46.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,860 | 46.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $27,260 | 57.6% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in San Marcos?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $846 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $310,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $31,040 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in San Marcos, TX?
Renting in San Marcos costs a median of about $1,308 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Texas median is $1,451.
How much do I need to make to live in San Marcos?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $52,320 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is San Marcos cheap or expensive?
San Marcos is rated OK: rent takes 28.4% of the typical household income of $55,307. It ranks 168th cheapest of 426 Texas cities we track.
How much are property taxes in San Marcos?
The median homeowner in San Marcos pays $4,774 a year in property taxes, about 1.54% of the median home value.
Is San Marcos more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 2% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in San Marcos?
The median home value in San Marcos is $310,400, about 5.6 times the typical yearly household income.
70,897 people live in San Marcos. Numbers are typical (middle) values.