Belton, TX vs San Marcos, TX

Belton is moderately more affordable than San Marcos, with a 5.7% lower cost of living index. Belton scores 90 compared to 96 for San Marcos, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of San Marcos can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Belton is $1,237/month compared to $1,299/month in San Marcos — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Belton is more affordable at $252,000 median vs $269,700.

Median household income in Belton is $63,544 compared to $51,030 in San Marcos (+24.5%). Belton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Belton spend roughly 23.4% of their income on rent, less than the 30.5% in San Marcos. The Belton ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.