Cost of Living in San Marcos, TX - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,032 (excluding rent), and $2,626 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,680 (excluding rent), and $5,141 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.68 $18.68

$14.75 $14.75

$44.25 $44.25

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$69.7 $69.7

$45.44 $45.44

$126 $126

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.98 $9.98

$7.99 $7.99

$13.98 $13.98

Cappuccino

$4.72 $4.72

$3.43 $3.43

$6.85 $6.85

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.76 $2.76

$1.98 $1.98

$3.47 $3.47

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.18 $2.18

$1.88 $1.88

$3.05 $3.05

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.92 $5.92

$2.96 $2.96

$9.87 $9.87

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.87 $6.87

$5.15 $5.15

$9.82 $9.82

Milk (1 liter)

$0.91 $0.91

$0.65 $0.65

$1.56 $1.56

White Bread (500g)

$2.99 $2.99

$1.08 $1.08

$5.43 $5.43

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.45 $3.45

$1.99 $1.99

$8.34 $8.34

Eggs

$3.81 $3.81

$1.99 $1.99

$6.97 $6.97

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.53 $9.53

$6.42 $6.42

$21.43 $21.43

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.04 $12.04

$6.35 $6.35

$17.52 $17.52

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.14 $17.14

$10.18 $10.18

$30.58 $30.58

Apples (1kg)

$4.14 $4.14

$2.13 $2.13

$8.77 $8.77

Banana (1kg)

$1.23 $1.23

$0.99 $0.99

$4.50 $4.50

Oranges (1kg)

$4.00 $4.00

$1.55 $1.55

$12.39 $12.39

Tomato (1kg)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.56 $1.56

$7.92 $7.92

Potato (1kg)

$2.78 $2.78

$0.86 $0.86

$5.37 $5.37

Onion (1kg)

$2.36 $2.36

$1.33 $1.33

$4.40 $4.40

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.77 $1.77

$0.97 $0.97

$2.89 $2.89

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.24 $2.24

$1.02 $1.02

$4.07 $4.07

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.02 $8.02

$7.02 $7.02

$11.02 $11.02

Wine (Bottle)

$12.05 $12.05

$9.04 $9.04

$25.10 $25.10

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.04 $2.04

$1.46 $1.46

$2.92 $2.92

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.85 $3.85

$1.63 $1.63

$6.11 $6.11

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.05 $2.05

$1.28 $1.28

$2.05 $2.05

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.77 $3.77

$2.43 $2.43

$5.83 $5.83

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.83 $1.83

$1.35 $1.35

$3.98 $3.98

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.69 $29.69

$26.72 $26.72

$39.59 $39.59

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.78 $0.78

$0.68 $0.68

$0.94 $0.94

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$31.9K $31.9K

$23.2K $23.2K

$41.2K $41.2K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.3K $25.3K

$23.8K $23.8K

$27.5K $27.5K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$191 $191

$117 $117

$354 $354

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$64.0 $64.0

$25.43 $25.43

$173 $173

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.7 $66.7

$50.9 $50.9

$166 $166

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$69.7 $69.7

$37.40 $37.40

$101 $101

Cinema Ticket

$14.76 $14.76

$11.81 $11.81

$17.71 $17.71

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$681 $681

$1,678 $1,678

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$19.3K $19.3K

$11.0K $11.0K

$23.4K $23.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.15 $47.15

$25.41 $25.41

$91.5 $91.5

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.06 $45.06

$20.38 $20.38

$76.4 $76.4

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$99.2 $99.2

$55.6 $55.6

$152 $152

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$122 $122

$74.5 $74.5

$248 $248

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,352 $1,352

$968 $968

$1,513 $1,513

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,426 $1,426

$1,223 $1,223

$1,834 $1,834

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,942 $2,942

$1,961 $1,961

$3,824 $3,824

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,382 $2,382

$1,787 $1,787

$2,978 $2,978

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,396 $2,396

$2,129 $2,129

$2,662 $2,662

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,909 $1,909

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,153 $3,153

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.44

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: January 12, 2026

San Marcos, TX Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

338

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in San Marcos, TX - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in San Marcos, TX, United States tends to be more approachable than big metros, making it workable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. You will find affordable dining options, practical groceries, and housing that spans compact studios near the university to quieter homes a short ride from downtown. Seasonal demand around the campus can push weekend lodging higher, but utilities and internet stay steady. When you compare with nearby cities, you will notice you get good value without sacrificing access to cafes, shops, and outdoor spaces. Tip: choose a neighborhood that matches your work and social life to maximize value.

Daily life in San Marcos blends campus energy with river-town calm. For housing search, you will find options clustered near Texas State University, with walkable downtown and quieter pockets a short ride away. Food ranges from casual taquerias to farmers markets that supplement groceries for budget meals. Transport is practical: a car helps you explore beyond campus, but bike lanes and CARTS buses offer affordable options for errands and coworking visits. San Marcos, TX, United States living cost, which varies by neighborhood and season, shapes how you plan. Tip: group errands by neighborhood to save trips and time.

Quality of life in San Marcos rewards a practical budgeting framework. Start by mapping housing around your work and social cadence, then allocate groceries, dining, and misc for a comfortable weekly rhythm. Use a simple living-cost ladder: core needs, then flexible spending for activities near the river, and a buffer for travel or coworking days. Seasonality shows in heat-driven energy use and festival crowds, so plan for occasional price shifts in accommodation or dining. Neighborhood fit matters: downtown and the university corridor offer convenience and social options, while river-adjacent areas lean quieter and more scenic. Tip: test two areas with short stays before committing long-term.