Livability Score

77
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities A+

There are lots of amenities close to this location.
Coffee (14) A+
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Ding Tea
Coffee Shop
Kung Fu Tea
Coffee Shop
Copa Vida
Coffee Shop
Tea Amo
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
HOB Coffee
Coffee Shop
Old California Coffee House and Eatery
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Blue Mug Coffee & Tea
Coffee Shop
Cat & Craft Cafe
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Entertainment (6) F
AMF Eagle Lanes
Bowling Alley
Edwards San Marcos Stadium 18
Cinema
Howard Brubeck Theatre
Theatre Arts
Club Tropics
Nightclub
Food and Drink (67) A+
Subway
Fast Food
Players Sports Bar
Bar
Total Wine
Alcohol
Albertacos
Fast Food
McDonald's
Fast Food
Chipotle
Fast Food
Panera Bread
Fast Food
Carl's Jr.
Fast Food
In-N-Out Burger
Fast Food
Jamba
Fast Food
Chick-fil-A
Fast Food
Jersey Mike's Subs
Fast Food
Tasty Pizza
Fast Food
The Habit Burger Grill
Fast Food
Que Tortas
Fast Food
Wynston's Ice Cream Co
Sweets
Jack in the Box
Fast Food
Big Apple Bagels
Fast Food
Burger King
Fast Food
Domino's
Fast Food
49Er
Bar
Papa John's
Fast Food
Churchill's Pub and Grille
Bar
Two Hands Corn Dogs
Fast Food
e Food Stores and Liquor
Alcohol
Fitness (4) A+
Orangetheory Fitness
Gym
M. Gordon Clarke Fieldhouse
Gym
LA Fitness
Gym
24 Hour Fitness
Gym
Be fitness
Gym
24 Hour Fitness
Gym
Groceries (12) A+
Ralphs
Grocery Store
WinCo Foods
Grocery Store
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Bakery
The Cookie Plug
Bakery
San Marcos Market
Grocery Store
Smart & Final
Grocery Store
Sprouts Farmers Market
Grocery Store
Albertsons
Grocery Store
Grocery Outlet
Grocery Store
Stater Bros.
Grocery Store
Albertsons
Grocery Store
Albertsons
Grocery Store
Stater Bros.
Grocery Store
Donout Star
Bakery
ALDI
Grocery Store
Vons
Grocery Store
Walmart Supercenter
Grocery Store
Parks (95) B
Connors Park
Park
Joy Ct park
Park
San Marcos Sand Court
Park
Discovery Community Park
Park
Lake Moree Park
Park
Discovery Creek Childrens Park
Park
Innovation Park
Park
Jacks Lake
Playground
Tot Lot
Playground
Mission Hills Church Park
Park
Cerro de las Posas Park
Park
Jack's Pond Park
Park
Jacks Pond Park
Park
Mulberry Park
Park
Double Peak Park
Park
William R Bradley Park
Park
Tot Lot
Playground
Cerro de Las Posas Park
Park
Optimist Park
Park
Woodland Park
Park
Foothills Park
Park
Downstream Park
Park
Sunset Park
Park
Questhaven Park
Park
Helen Bougher Memorial Park
Park
Shops (75) A+
Sport Clips
Hairdresser
Great Clips
Hairdresser
Dr. K Cosmetic
Beauty
Best Buy
Electronics
GoBahli Nails
Beauty
Crate & Barrel
Furniture
Campus Liquor
Convenience Store
Boost Mobile
Electronics
Food Mart
Convenience Store
The Home Depot
Home Improvement
GNC
Nutrition Supplements
La-Z-Boy
Furniture
Finely Home
Gift Shop
Woodbridge Interiors
Furniture
Civic Center Plaza
Mall
Bassett Home Furnishings
Furniture
Arizona Leather
Furniture
7-Eleven
Convenience Store
Nail Bar
Beauty
Jerome's Furniture
Furniture
7-Eleven
Convenience Store
Casual Dining & Bar Stools
Furniture
Nail Bar Twin Oaks
Beauty
7-Eleven
Convenience Store
Mor Furniturefor Less
Furniture
See more San Marcos amenity data

commute A+

Of all people who commute, 1.0% take public transportation in San Marcos.
Public Transit Stops (71)
Stops & Stations A+
Craven Circle
Bus Stop
San Marcos Civic Center
Transit Station
Cal State San Marcos
Transit Station
Palomar College
Transit Station
1
Bus Stop
6
Bus Stop
5
Bus Stop
2
Bus Stop
4
Bus Stop
Richland Road Stop
Bus Stop
Woodland Parkway Stop
Bus Stop
Nordahl
Transit Station
Buena Creek Road
Transit Station
Buena creek and s. santa fe
Bus Stop
Workers Taking Public Transit
1.0% F
See more San Marcos commute data

cost of living F

The cost of living in San Marcos is 163/100 - which is 17% higher than California.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc. F
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax F
See more San Marcos cost of living data

crime A-

San Marcos crime rates are 1,278 per 100k, which is 55% lower than California
Property Crime
1,061 crimes per 100k A-
Violent Crime
217 crimes per 100k B+
See more San Marcos crime data

employment A+

The median income in San Marcos is $86,408 - which is 35% higher than California.
Med. Household Income
$86,408 A+
Unemployment Rate
2.7% A-
See more San Marcos employment data

health D+

There are many hospitals, police and fire stations.
Health & Safety (26)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc. A+
Doche Family Dental
Dentist
Kaiser Permanente
Clinic
CVS Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Palomar Health
Clinic
Discovery Dental
Dentist
Police/Parking & Commuter Services
Police
Allred Dental
Dentist
Grand Plaza Dental
Dentist
San Diego County Sheriff
Police
San Diego County Sheriff
Police
Mission Hills Family Dental
Dentist
CVS Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Western Dental
Dentist
San Marcos Fire Station #3
Fire Station
Rancho Palomar Dental Care
Dentist
Welcare Pharmacy Compunding and Perscriptions
Pharmacy
Walmart Pharmacy
Pharmacy
San Marcos Dental Group
Dentist
Woodland Dental Group
Dentist
CVS Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Concentra Urgent Care
Clinic
Nordahl Dental
Dentist
San Marcos Station 2
Fire Station
Palomar Medical Center
Hospital
Spine & Sport Physical Therapy
Clinic
Air Quality
Median Air Quality F
See more San Marcos health & safety data

housing B-

San Marcos home prices are $584,600 - which is 43% higher than California
Home Price
$584,600 A+
Home Appreciation Rate
28% A+
Home Affordability
6.8x (home price to income ratio) F
See more San Marcos housing data

schools C+

The San Marcos graduation rate is 82% - which is 3% higher than California
School Test Scores
50% F
High School Grad. Rates
82% C-
Elementary Schools (30) F
San Marcos Elementary
Community Collaborative Charter
Community Collaborative Virtual - Sage Oak Charter
San Marcos Middle
North Coastal Consortium Schools
Teri, Inc. The Country School
Baypoint Preparatory Academy - San Diego
Bayshore Preparatory Charter
Discovery Elementary
High Tech Elementary North County
High Tech Elementary North County
High Tech Middle North County
High Tech Middle North County
St Joseph Academy
Double Peak
Paloma Elementary
Alvin M. Dunn Elementary
Taylion San Diego Academy
Richland Elementary
Pivot Charter School - San Diego
Pivot Charter School - San Diego Ii
Woodland Park Middle
San Elijo Elementary
Knob Hill Elementary
Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary
High Schools (21) A+
Community Collaborative Charter
Community Collaborative Virtual - Sage Oak Charter
Pathways Academy Charter - Adult Education
Pathways Academy Charter Adult Education
North Coastal Consortium Schools
Teri, Inc. The Country School
Bayshore Preparatory Charter
Mission Hills High
High Tech High North County
High Tech High North County
St Joseph Academy
Taylion San Diego Academy
San Marcos High
Pivot Charter School - San Diego
Pivot Charter School - San Diego Ii
Twin Oaks High
Foothills High
Dehesa Charter
Dimensions Collaborative
Pathways Academy Charter Adult Education
Community Collaborative Virtual - Keppel Partnership Acad
Community Collaborative Virtual - Keppel Partnership Academy
Escondido Adventist Academy
National University Academy
See more San Marcos education data

ratings A+

San Marcos has an overall rating of 91% from 11 reviews.
User Reviews (1)
From AreaVibes A+
User Surveys (10)
From AreaVibes A+
See more San Marcos user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings

San Marcos, CA Area Guide

Photo of San Marcos, CA
( 11 Ratings )

Living in San Marcos, CA

Ranks better than 77% of areas Follow

San Marcos Area Facts

  • San Marcos has a Livability Score of 77/100, which is considered exceptional
  • San Marcos crime rates are 55% lower than the California average
  • Cost of living in San Marcos is 17% higher than the California average

What do the locals think about San Marcos?

Based on 10 votes from AreaVibes users. Take the poll
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San Marcos Reviews

Write a review about San Marcos Tell people what you like or don't like about San Marcos…
San Marcos, CA - Ideal for Young Professionals 4.5 rating By Anonymous ( Feb 16, 2012) I moved to the beautiful town of San Marcos, California just about six years ago. I first went there to attend the California State University San Marcos. My first encounter, therefore, of San Marcos was not of the "real world" but rather the college life. However, I did get a go ...Read More od feel of some of the more generic aspects of San Marcos.

It is considered to be in the San Diego county and is about 2 hours away from Los Angeles and 40 minutes from San Diego. Its proximity to two large cities make it an ideal area for both young people, families, and the older population. For the younger crowd, the nightlife is amazing. All though my college years I had three main choices to kick back and have fun with friends. San Marcos itself has a large array of bars, clubs and restaurants. If we were feeling a little adventurous, we would catch a cab to San Diego where options opened up exponentially. However, on special occasions we'd go to Los Angeles for the weekend and spend our nights in some of the most famous bars and clubs in the state.
San Marcos is a also a great place to live a laid back life and raise a family. It is far enough away from the large cities that crime rate is low, and the school district is one of the best in the area. The commute to work places is also bareable.

Climate of course is another great thing about San Marcos. It is located at most half an hour from the ocean and one can go to the beach almost year round. During the coldest months a sweatshirt and sweatpants will do the trick. In the summer most people spend their weekends on the beach, rooftops or in their pools. Read Less
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Compare San Marcos, CA Livability

      vs

      A+ Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in San Marcos? Yes, there are lots of amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Connors Park
      Joy Ct park
      San Marcos Sand Court
      Discovery Community Park
      Lake Moree Park
      Discovery Creek Childrens Park
      Innovation Park
      Jacks Lake

      Entertainment

      AMF Eagle Lanes
      Edwards San Marcos Stadium 18
      Howard Brubeck Theatre
      Club Tropics

      Food & Drink

      Subway
      Players Sports Bar
      Total Wine
      Albertacos
      McDonald's
      Chipotle
      Panera Bread
      Carl's Jr.

      A+ Commute

      Is public transit available in San Marcos? Of all people who commute, 1.0% take public transportation in San Marcos.
      Drive to Work
      77%

      1% higher than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      1%

      4% lower than the US average

      Walk to Work
      2%

      1% lower than the US average

      F Cost of Living

      What is the cost of living in San Marcos? The cost of living in San Marcos is 163/100 - which is 17% higher than California.
      San Marcos
      163

      63% more expensive than average

      California
      140

      40% more expensive than average

      United States
      100

      National cost of living index

      A- Crime

      What is the crime rate in San Marcos? San Marcos crime rates are 1,278, which are 55% lower than California
      Total Crime
      1,278 per 100k people

      45% lower than the US average

      Chance of being a victim
      1 in 79

      45% lower than the US average

      Year-over-year crime
      8%

      Year over year crime is up

      A+ Employment

      What is the median income in San Marcos? The median income in San Marcos is $86,408 which is 35% higher than California.
      Median household income
      $86,40856% higher than the US average
      Income per capita
      $35,23218% higher than the US average
      Unemployment rate
      3%

      42% lower than the US average

      A+ Health & Safety

      Is San Marcos a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are many hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      Pharmacies

      CVS Pharmacy
      CVS Pharmacy
      CVS Pharmacy
      Welcare Pharmacy Compunding and Perscriptions
      Walmart Pharmacy

      Doctors

      B- Housing

      What are San Marcos home prices? San Marcos home prices are $584,600 - which is 43% higher than California
      Median home value
      $584,600217% higher than the US average
      Median rent price
      $1,80290% higher than the US average
      Home Ownership
      63%

      2% lower than the US average

      C+ Schools

      Does San Marcos have good schools? The San Marcos graduation rate is 82% - which is 3% higher than California
      High school grad. rates
      82%

      1% lower than the US average

      School test scores
      50%

      4% higher than the US average

      Student teacher ratio
      24:1

      48% higher than the US average

      A+ User Ratings

      Is San Marcos a good place to live? San Marcos has an overall rating of 91% from 11 reviews.
      Overall user rating
      91%

      11 total ratings

      User reviews rating
      90%

      1 total reviews

      User surveys rating
      92%

      10 total surveys

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