San Marcos, CA

Salary intelligence, cost of living, and affordability data

All 718 jobs →

Avg Salary

$76,105

across all roles

Cost Index

120

Above Average

Avg Rent

$1,980/mo

1-bed apartment

Affordability

5/10

Low Affordability

How affordable is San Marcos?

5/10

Low Affordability

Purchasing power score: 1.43× (take-home ÷ living costs)

With a cost of living index of 120 (US avg = 100) and average disposable income of $1,400/mo, San Marcos is a high-cost market — salaries need to be competitive to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.

Cost of Living Benchmarks

Cost Index

120

US avg = 100

Est. Monthly Rent

$1,980

1-bed, city avg

Avg Disposable

$1,400

after taxes + living costs

Median Salary

$65,740

across all tracked roles

Purchasing Power

1.43×

take-home ÷ costs

Jobs Tracked

718

job titles with data

Highest-Paying Jobs in San Marcos

By gross annual salary

1.Obstetricians And Gynecologists
$235,930
2.Chief Executives
$231,500
3.Lawyers
$205,900
4.Podiatrists
$193,510
5.Computer And Information Systems Managers
$191,410
6.Nurse Midwives
$190,230
7.Architectural And Engineering Managers
$181,400
8.Family Medicine Physicians
$179,990
9.Commercial Pilots
$177,300
10.Dentists
$176,200

Best Jobs for Disposable Income

After taxes and living costs

1.Obstetricians And Gynecologists
$11,122/mo
2.Chief Executives
$10,853/mo
3.Lawyers
$9,296/mo
4.Podiatrists
$8,542/mo
5.Computer And Information Systems Managers
$8,414/mo
6.Nurse Midwives
$8,342/mo
7.Architectural And Engineering Managers
$7,805/mo
8.Family Medicine Physicians
$7,719/mo
9.Commercial Pilots
$7,556/mo
10.Dentists
$7,489/mo

Jobs With Tightest Budgets in San Marcos

These roles leave the least disposable income after living costs — worth knowing before accepting an offer.

Word Processors And Typists

$15/mo left

$53,340/yr gross

Pump Operators

$21/mo left

$53,440/yr gross

Community And Social Service Specialists

$23/mo left

$53,470/yr gross

Firstline Supervisors Of Farming

$31/mo left

$53,610/yr gross

Office And Administrative Support Workers

$46/mo left

$53,850/yr gross

Explore San Marcos Further

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All data derived from BLS OEWS metro data and regional cost-of-living indices. Figures are estimates; verify with local sources before making decisions.