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San Marcos

Texas · Austin-SA Corridor
No Income TaxDance: DevelopingWarmBudget Cost
62
/ 100 match score

San Marcos sits exactly between Austin and San Antonio — 30 miles from each. Texas State University dominates the city. The San Marcos River is a clear spring-fed gem. Good for remote workers wanting Austin access at significantly lower cost.

Match Score Breakdown
Cost of Living
20/20
Family Safety
6/20
State Tax Burden
10/10
Healthcare Quality
13/20
Dance Training
3/12
Musical Theater
2/8
Career / Remote
8/10
Financial Snapshot at $360K Income
State income tax
$0
Texas advantage
Est. after-tax income
$267,175
incl. FICA + federal
Annual living costs
$78,000
$66,000–$90,000 range
Annual surplus
+$189,175
King: 3.4×
FICA (7.65%)
$27,540/yr
Rent: 3BR family home
$1,700–$2,300/mo
Median SFH purchase
$330,000
Dance Training
Texas State University has an active dance program with real community spillover. Austin and San Antonio both 30–40 minutes for professional training.
Healthcare
Local CHRISTUS facility improving. Austin and San Antonio for major care — both 30–40 min. AT&T and Spectrum both serve the city.
Career & Remote Work
Texas State University employment. Remote work for tech roles. I-35 connects to both major metros efficiently. AT&T Fiber and Spectrum available.
Musical Theater
Developing
Texas State University has an MFA Theatre program that creates professional-level instruction in the community, and TXST's public season is open to families. Local SMTX Community Theatre is active. However the youth MT training infrastructure for a pre-professional track is limited — Austin (40 min north) and San Antonio (30 min south) both have meaningfully more resources. Manageable with driving.
Safety
Violent crime rate:380 per 100KSuburban Focus Required

US national average: ~370/100K. For cities with elevated rates, target specific suburban ISD neighborhoods — actual neighborhood crime is 40–60% below city average.

Internet Quality
Good500+ Mbps
AT&T Fiber and Spectrum available. Texas State University presence drives good infrastructure. Most neighborhoods have 500Mbps+.
Pros
  • +Exactly between Austin and San Antonio
  • +San Marcos River — one of the best natural springs in Texas
  • +More affordable than Austin proper
  • +Texas State University enrichment and culture
  • +Good outdoor recreation year-round
Cons
  • −College town feel — not always ideal for families
  • −Dance requires driving to Austin or SA
  • −Healthcare limited locally
  • −I-35 traffic
Quick Stats
School rating
7/10
Healthcare rating
7/10
Tech job market
good
Remote friendly
Yes

Financial estimates: $360K gross income, FICA 7.65% + federal MFJ 2026 brackets ($30K standard deduction). Texas has no state income tax. Does not include property tax (TX rates 1.5–2.5% of assessed value, varies by county) or HOA. Actual liability varies — consult a CPA.