Fort Hood, TX vs San Marcos, TX

Fort Hood, TX and San Marcos, TX have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3% difference in their overall index. Fort Hood scores 99 while San Marcos scores 96 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

Renters will find that Fort Hood has a median rent of $1,368/month while San Marcos comes in at $1,299/month, a 5% difference.

Median household income in Fort Hood is $59,661 compared to $51,030 in San Marcos (+16.9%). While Fort Hood is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Hood spend roughly 27.5% of their income on rent, less than the 30.5% in San Marcos. The Fort Hood ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (67.5°F vs 69.6°F). San Marcos receives more rainfall at 31.3" per year compared to 28.4" in Fort Hood.