Central, 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.
San Marcos
70.5
#1100 nationally
San Marcos leads in walk score (39 vs 7). Central leads in median household income ($82,714 vs $47,394). Central leads in crime level (7.1 vs 9.8).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Central, LA | San Marcos, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,781 | 71,569 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $0 | $310,480 |
| Median Household Income | $82,714 | $47,394 |
| Average Commute | 30.8 min | 23.7 min |
| Walk Score | 7 | 39 |
| Crime Level | 7.1 | 9.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 100 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+11.1 | D+5.6 |
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Score
Central, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Population
29,781
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
7
Median Income
$82,714
Southeast
View Central, 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 →