2026 Compare Cities Overview:
San Marcos, TX vs McAllen, TX

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Highlights
Are people in McAllen older or younger than people in San Marcos?
- The Median Age in McAllen is 8.1 years older than in San Marcos.

Are housing costs cheaper in McAllen or San Marcos?
- McAllen housing costs are 39.1% less expensive than San Marcos housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, McAllen or San Marcos?
- The average commute for residents of McAllen is 2.1 minutes shorter than it is for residents of San Marcos.

Things to do in San Marcos?
San Marcos, Texas is a vibrant city located in the heart of Hays County. This welcoming community offers plenty for visitors to explore such as the Wonder World Cave or one of many popular restaurants. Residents here also take advantage of all the outdoor activities available at Rio Vista Park, Aquarena Springs and Purgatory Creek Natural Area. With its excellent school systems, thriving businesses, and numerous recreational opportunities it's no wonder why so many people choose to make San Marcos their home.

Things to do in McAllen?
McAllen, Texas is a vibrant city located in Hidalgo County. This welcoming community offers plenty for visitors to explore such as the stunning Quinta Mazatlán or one of many popular restaurants. Residents here also take advantage of all the outdoor activities available at Archer Park and Firemen's Park. With its excellent school system, thriving businesses, and numerous recreational opportunities it's no wonder why so many people choose to make McAllen their home.

 San Marcos, TXMcAllen, TXUnited States
 Population  Unlock141,941329,725,481
 Median Income$42,500  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock3338.4
 Avg. Home Price$335,100  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock7.9%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time22.06  Unlock26.38
Reviews for San Marcos    6 Reviews

An area with so much potential and existing natural beauty.Sadly bad urban planning is clearly obvious.Looks like fun for tens of thousands of students.However for the  More

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Over 17 years ago

San Marcos has the most beautiful people and places that I have ever seen throughout my travels. I love this city so much that I decided to settle down here and start a  More

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Over 18 years ago

I spent several summers and a couple winters in San Marcos during my formidable years and really have to tell those interested about what a nice town it is. The best  More

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Reviews for Mcallen    17 Reviews

Over 6 years ago

My wife and I are snowbirds from Iowa. We tried the McAllen area for a couple of seasons. We didn't like it, and have since opted for Mesa, AZ. Mesa ranked No. 8 in the  More

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On transfer here for two years now. Pros: Daytime traffic is pretty decent, when using Interstate 2. Home prices are cheaper, when compared to the national average.  More

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Over 12 years ago

with 3  More

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