Austin vs San Marcos
Side-by-side rent vs buy analysis comparing these two markets
Overall Comparison
San Marcos has an edge
San Marcos currently favors renting, with better rent-to-price dynamics.
Median Home Price
$467,178.32
Median RentTIE
$1,595.22/mo
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.4
Property Tax RateTIE
1.80%
Price Change (1Y)
-6.9%
Price Change (5Y)
-34.7%
Break-Even YearsTIE
N/A
10-Year Wealth Difference
$413,070
Median Home PriceBETTER
$370,346.81
Median RentTIE
$1,591.22/mo
Price-to-Rent RatioBETTER
19.4
Property Tax RateTIE
1.80%
Price Change (1Y)BETTER
-5.7%
Price Change (5Y)BETTER
-28.3%
Break-Even YearsTIE
N/A
10-Year Wealth DifferenceBETTER
$271,446
Key Differences
Home Prices
Austin's median home price of $467,178.32 is higher than San Marcos's $370,346.81 by 26%.
Monthly Rent
Renting in Austin costs $1,595.22/mo compared to $1,591.22/mo in San Marcos—a difference of $4/mo.
Buy vs Rent Verdict
Both cities currently favor renting.
Break-Even Timeline
Break-even analysis varies based on market conditions in each city.
Run Your Own Numbers
This comparison uses median values. Your income, savings, and goals matter. Use our Buy vs Rent calculator to get a personalized analysis.