Ruston, LA vs San Marcos, TX
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Ruston
72.3
#911 nationally
San Marcos
70.5
#1100 nationally
Ruston leads in average commute (13.9 min vs 23.7 min). San Marcos leads in walk score (39 vs 25). San Marcos leads in median household income ($47,394 vs $32,877).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Ruston, LA | San Marcos, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.3 (#911) | 70.5 (#1100) |
| Population | 22,233 | 71,569 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $229,937 | $310,480 |
| Median Household Income | $32,877 | $47,394 |
| Average Commute | 13.9 min | 23.7 min |
| Walk Score | 25 | 39 |
| Crime Level | 11.7 | 9.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 95 | 100 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+25.4 | D+5.6 |
C-
72.3 Score
Ruston, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$229,937
Population
22,233
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
25
Southeast
View Ruston, LA →
C-
70.5 Score
San Marcos, TX
Texas community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$310,480
Population
71,569
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
39
Southwest
View San Marcos, TX →