Living in San Marcos, CA
San Marcos is the 369th-largest city in the US, home to about 95,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run above the national average (111.9 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 94,908+0.1% since 2020
- Median home value
- $868,0007.9 years of median income
- Median rent
- $2,348/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $109,377median, per year
- Price level
- 111.9US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 65° / 74°lows 48° / 64°
- Average commute
- 27 min21% work from home
- State income tax
- 13.3%top rate, graduated
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County: San Diego County
Time zone: Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 in summer)
Elevation: about 581 ft
Metro area: San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Cost of living in San Marcos
The median home in San Marcos is worth $868,000 and the median household earns $109,377 a year, so a typical home costs about 7.9 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $2,348 a month, about 26% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area at 111.9, with housing at 179.3 and goods at 108.0 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $83,900 here. California taxes wages at a top rate of 13.3%. The average combined state and local sales tax in California is 9.03%.
What would my salary be worth in San Marcos?
San Marcos weather
Average highs run from 65°F in January to 74°F in July, and January nights average 48°F. It gets 11 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. The most comfortable months are January to December.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit San Marcos
People and work
The median resident is 36.8 years old, and 44% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 64% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 26 minutes; 20% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 36.8290th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 44%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 64%of households
- People per sq mile
- 3,86324.6 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%2% walk, 0.6% bike
- Unemployment
- 4.6%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 9.2%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1996median year
Who moves to San Marcos, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), San Bernardino (San Bernardino County) and Phoenix (Maricopa County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), Phoenix (Maricopa County) and Las Vegas (Clark County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Very High
FEMA rating for San Diego County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: wildfire, inland flooding, earthquake, heat wave.
Home prices
+2.5% in a year
Up 41% over five years. FHFA house price index for the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
18% good days
33 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the San Diego-Carlsbad, CA area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near San Marcos
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Petco Park 30 miles
- University of California-San Diego 19 miles
- San Diego State University 26 miles
- California State University-San Marcos in San Marcos
- San Diego Mesa College 23 miles
- Grossmont College 24 miles
- MiraCosta College 9 miles
- San Diego Miramar College 16 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near San Marcos
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| McClellan-Palomar Airport CLD | 7 mi | 17,434 |
| San Diego International Airport SAN | 29 mi | 12,780,013 |
| John Wayne Airport SNA | 55 mi | 5,370,273 |
| Palm Springs International Airport PSP | 61 mi | 1,617,586 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near San Marcos
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-San Diego | 19 mi | 34,948 | $14,794 | 86% |
| The University of Arizona Global Campus | 22 mi | 20,152 | $28,679 | 12% |
| San Diego Mesa College | 23 mi | 16,098 | $21,767 | n/a |
| California State University-San Marcos | in town | 14,877 | $10,939 | 55% |
| Grossmont College | 24 mi | 12,163 | $3,900 | 39% |
| San Diego Miramar College | 16 mi | 11,271 | $21,008 | n/a |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in San Marcos
Freezing nights are rare here.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Carlsbad Palomar Airport, CA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for San Marcos.
Wildfire smoke in San Marcos
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered San Marcos on about 38 days a year, including about 5 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in San Marcos
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 31,350 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in San Marcos
Downtown San Marcos is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Marcos Unified School District | K to 12 | 18,860 | 19 | 23.5 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Poway Unified School District (34,405 students), Vista Unified School District (18,112 students), Oceanside Unified School District (14,890 students), Escondido Union Elementary School District (13,922 students), San Dieguito Union High School District (12,055 students), Carlsbad Unified School District (10,708 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
San Marcos's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to San Marcos's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Hayward, CA75% matchCompare
- San Leandro, CA73% matchCompare
- Oakland, CA68% matchCompare
- San Jose, CA64% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near San Marcos
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near San Marcos
- Snow Valley Mountain Resort 75 miles
- Rim Nordic Ski Area 75 miles
- Snow Summit 77 miles
- Bear Mountain 77 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in San Marcos
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data 12 months a year have comfortable weather by our rule.
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 65°F.
Cons
- Data Homes are expensive for local pay: the median home costs 7.9 years of median household income.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 12% above the US average, mostly because of housing.
- Data California's top income tax rate is 13.3%, among the highest in the country.
- Data Sales tax is high: 9.03% on average with local taxes.
- Data High natural hazard risk in San Diego County (FEMA rates it very high), led by wildfire, inland flooding and earthquake.
- Data Air quality is a concern: 33 days in 2025 were unhealthy at least for sensitive groups (EPA).
San Marcos report card from locals
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San Marcos through locals' eyes
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Cities near San Marcos
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escondido, CA | 5 mi | 146,030 | $714,500 | 111.9 | Compare |
| Vista, CA | 6 mi | 98,274 | $762,400 | 111.9 | Compare |
| Carlsbad, CA | 8 mi | 112,260 | $1,257,000 | 111.9 | Compare |
| Oceanside, CA | 13 mi | 170,483 | $770,300 | 111.9 | Compare |
| Temecula, CA | 24 mi | 114,865 | $679,700 | 106.4 | Compare |
| El Cajon, CA | 28 mi | 101,755 | $681,700 | 111.9 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
San Marcos ranks 6th of 29 in our best suburbs of San Diego ranking.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare San Marcos with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is San Marcos a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show 12 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are high prices, expensive homes relative to local incomes. Compare San Marcos side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of San Marcos?
The Census Bureau estimates San Marcos had 94,908 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 94,860 in April 2020 (+0.1%).
How much do you need to earn to live in San Marcos?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $83,900 in the San Marcos area. The median household here earns $109,377.
When is the best time to visit San Marcos?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, January to December are the most comfortable months. July averages 74°F and January 65°F for daytime highs.
What county is San Marcos in?
San Marcos is in San Diego County, California. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is San Marcos in?
San Marcos is on Pacific Time (UTC-8, or UTC-7 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of San Marcos?
About 581 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does California have a state income tax?
Yes. California has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 13.3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of San Marcos. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Carlsbad Palomar Airport, CA station; snowfall from Escondido #2, CA. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.