Everything You Should Know Before Moving to San Marcos, CA
Thinking about moving to San Marcos, CA? This dynamic city of 96,200 residents offers a sunny Mediterranean climate (70% sunny days), modern amenities, and a vibrant educational scene with local colleges like Cal State San Marcos. Median home prices run at $770,000 and average rents are $2,450, reflecting the area’s popularity. Residents enjoy low violent crime rates (174 per 100k), short average commutes (28 minutes), and a friendly, diverse community. San Marcos is perfect for those seeking great schools, outdoor living, and a thriving SoCal lifestyle.
Demographics - San Marcos, CA
Demographics - San Marcos, CA
San Marcos is home to about 96,200 residents with a median age of 35.5, reflecting a balanced and diverse community. The population is predominantly White and Hispanic/Latino, and over a quarter of residents speak a language other than English at home, contributing to the city’s vibrant multicultural atmosphere.
Population:
96,200
Density:
3,800 per sq mi
Median Age:
35.5
Gender Ratio:
98 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
27.5%
Ethnic Composition
White:
45.0%
Black:
2.5%
Asian:
8.0%
Others:
6.0%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in San Marcos, CA?
Living in San Marcos means higher-than-average costs, with a median home value of $770,000 and typical rents around $2,450 per month. The city's cost of living index is 151.3, mainly driven by housing expenses, though utilities and healthcare remain relatively moderate.
Median House Value:
$770,000
Gross Rent:
$2,450
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$130
Auto Insurance:
$1,900
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$3,200
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$790
State Taxes:
Low:
1.0%
|
High:
13.3%
Cost Of Living Index:
151.3
Grocery:
120.2
Housing:
197.8
Utilities:
107.5
Transportation:
132.1
Health Care:
111.2
Miscellaneous:
108.0
Crime
Is San Marcos, CA a safe place to live?
San Marcos experiences a notably low violent crime rate of 174 incidents per 100,000 people and a property crime rate of 1,370 per 100,000, making it a safer choice compared to many other California cities. Residents have a 1 in 575 chance of being a victim of violent crime, helping to foster a secure and welcoming environment.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
174
Property Crimes Per 100k:
1,370
Crime Index:
1,544
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 575
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 73
Weather
What is the weather like in San Marcos, CA year-round?
San Marcos enjoys a mild, Mediterranean climate with warm summers peaking at 83°F and winters rarely dipping below 42°F. The area boasts around 70% sunny days each year and receives about 13.5 inches of rainfall, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
Winter
Min:
42°F
Max:
66°F
Spring
Min:
48°F
Max:
72°F
Summer
Min:
62°F
Max:
83°F
Fall
Min:
53°F
Max:
77°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
13.5 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
70%
Neighbors
Residents of San Marcos benefit from a median household income of $97,300 and a low unemployment rate of 3.9%. The community is well-educated, with nearly 88% holding a high school diploma or higher, and commute times average about 28 minutes.
Median Income:
$44,200
Household Income:
$97,300
Family Income:
$111,500
Per Capita Income:
$37,800
Income Male:
$50,900
Income Female:
$41,800
Poverty Rate:
10.3%
Non English Speakers:
27.5%
Rent:
$2,450
Unemployment Rate:
3.9%
Public Transport Usage:
2.5%
Commute Time:
28.4 minutes
Education
High School or Higher:
87.6%
Bachelors or More:
33.8%
Education
How are the schools in San Marcos, CA?
San Marcos offers excellent educational opportunities, including well-rated public schools like San Marcos High School and Mission Hills High School, as well as private options. The city is also home to California State University San Marcos and Palomar College, providing robust higher education choices.
Public Schools
Name:
San Marcos High School
Street:
1615 San Marcos Blvd
Phone:
(760) 290-2200
Students:
3,400
Student Teacher Ratio:
25.2
Name:
Mission Hills High School
Street:
1 Mission Hills Ct
Phone:
(760) 290-2680
Students:
2,900
Student Teacher Ratio:
24.8
Private Schools
Name:
St. Joseph Academy
Street:
500 La Moree Rd
Phone:
(760) 305-8505
Students:
430
Colleges
Name:
California State University San Marcos
City:
San Marcos
State:
CA
Distance:
0 miles
Students:
16,000
Name:
Palomar College
City:
San Marcos
State:
CA
Distance:
0 miles
Students:
25,000
Healthcare
Healthcare in San Marcos is accessible, with major providers like Palomar Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente serving the area. With 2.6 physicians per 1,000 residents and over 90% of people insured, residents enjoy strong healthcare coverage and services.
Major Hospitals
Name:
Palomar Medical Center
Address:
2185 Citracado Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92029
Phone:
(442) 281-5000
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
Kaiser Permanente San Marcos Medical Offices
Address:
400 Craven Rd, San Marcos, CA 92078
Phone:
(760) 510-5300
Type:
Outpatient & Specialty
Emergency Services:
No
Physicians Per 1000:
2.6
Health Insurance Coverage:
90.5%
Health Care Index:
77.0
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in San Marcos, CA?
The San Marcos housing market is competitive, with a median home price of $770,000 and average two-bedroom rents at $2,450. Homeownership is popular, with over 62% of residents owning their homes, and the area has seen steady appreciation and low foreclosure rates.
Median Home Price:
$770,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$2,450
Owner Occupied Rate:
62.5%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
4.1%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
5.2%
New Construction Rate:
2.2%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.4%
DMV Information
San Marcos residents can access full DMV services at the local California Department of Motor Vehicles office located on Rancheros Drive. The office provides convenient support for licensing, registration, and other vehicle-related needs.
State:
California
Department:
California Department of Motor Vehicles
Address:
590 Rancheros Drive, San Marcos, CA 92069
Phone:
1-800-777-0133
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.