San Marcos, TX vs Waco, 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.
San Marcos
70.5
#1100 nationally
Waco
77.1
#281 nationally
Waco leads in average commute (17.5 min vs 23.7 min). San Marcos leads in crime level (9.8 vs 11.7). San Marcos leads in walk score (39 vs 35).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Waco, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.5 (#1100) | 77.1 (#281) |
| Population | 71,569 | 144,816 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $310,480 | $197,359 |
| Median Household Income | $47,394 | $47,421 |
| Average Commute | 23.7 min | 17.5 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 35 |
| Crime Level | 9.8 | 11.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 93 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+5.6 | R+30.9 |
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 →
C+
77.1 Score
Waco, TX
Mid-size Texas city with community character
Median Home
$197,359
Population
144,816
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
35
Southwest
View Waco, TX →