Denison, TX vs San Marcos, TX

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Denison is 15.2% cheaper than San Marcos. With a cost index of 81 vs 96, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Denison to San Marcos should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Denison is $1,161/month compared to $1,299/month in San Marcos — a 11% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Denison is more affordable at $167,800 median vs $269,700.

Median household income in Denison is $60,821 compared to $51,030 in San Marcos (+19.2%). Denison offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Denison spend roughly 22.9% of their income on rent, less than the 30.5% in San Marcos. The Denison ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.