78656 vs 92078 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 78656, Orange = ZIP 92078.
Quick verdict: ZIP 78656 is more affordable rent, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment. ZIP 92078 is wealthier, higher home values, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
Quick Facts
ZIP 78656
San Marcos city, TX
View full profile →- Population2,953
- Median Income$78,058
- Median Home Value$195k
- Median Rent$1,154
- Median Age32.6 yrs
- Poverty Rate7.3%
ZIP 92078
San Marcos city, CA
View full profile →- Population53,542
- Median Income$114,905
- Median Home Value$874k
- Median Rent$2,282
- Median Age38.6 yrs
- Poverty Rate8.4%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
2,95353,542
Median Income
$78,058$114,905
Median Home Value
$195k$874k
Median Rent
$1,154$2,282
Median Age
32.6 yrs38.6 yrs
Poverty Rate
7.3%8.4%
Demographics
ZIP 78656
San Marcos city, TX
View full profile →- White %67.2%
- Black %5.6%
- Asian %0.0%
- Hispanic %75.8%
- Age 0–17 %23.5%
- Age 18–64 %65.7%
- Age 65+ %10.8%
- Bachelor's+ %11.1%
- Diversity Index-3/100
ZIP 92078
San Marcos city, CA
View full profile →- White %61.9%
- Black %1.3%
- Asian %10.4%
- Hispanic %28.3%
- Age 0–17 %25.1%
- Age 18–64 %58.6%
- Age 65+ %16.3%
- Bachelor's+ %48.3%
- Diversity Index53/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
67.2%61.9%
Black %
5.6%1.3%
Asian %
0.0%10.4%
Hispanic %
75.8%28.3%
Age 0–17 %
23.5%25.1%
Age 18–64 %
65.7%58.6%
Age 65+ %
10.8%16.3%
Bachelor's+ %
11.1%48.3%
Diversity Index
-3/10053/100
Economy
ZIP 78656
San Marcos city, TX
View full profile →- Median Income$78,058
- Unemployment %3.3%
- IRS Net Migration+139
- Work From Home %2.9%
ZIP 92078
San Marcos city, CA
View full profile →- Median Income$114,905
- Unemployment %4.4%
- IRS Net Migration+2,635
- Work From Home %23.1%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$78,058$114,905
Unemployment %
3.3%4.4%
IRS Net Migration
+139+2,635
Work From Home %
2.9%23.1%
Housing
ZIP 78656
San Marcos city, TX
View full profile →- Median Home Value$195k
- Median Rent$1,154
- Owner Occupied %63.5%
- Broadband %80.6%
- Vacant %1.1%
- Median Year Built1997
ZIP 92078
San Marcos city, CA
View full profile →- Median Home Value$874k
- Median Rent$2,282
- Owner Occupied %71.3%
- Broadband %95.3%
- Vacant %4.8%
- Median Year Built1998
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$195k$874k
Median Rent
$1,154$2,282
Owner Occupied %
63.5%71.3%
Broadband %
80.6%95.3%
Vacant %
1.1%4.8%
Median Year Built
19971998
Climate & Location
ZIP 78656
San Marcos city, TX
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)665 ft
- Nearest Airport22.0 miles (35.5 km)
- Distance to Coast94.6 miles (152.2 km)
ZIP 92078
San Marcos city, CA
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)600 ft
- Nearest Airport5.8 miles (9.3 km)
- Distance to Coast8.4 miles (13.6 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
665 ft600 ft
Nearest Airport
22.0 miles (35.5 km)5.8 miles (9.3 km)
Distance to Coast
94.6 miles (152.2 km)8.4 miles (13.6 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 78656
San Marcos city, TX
View full profile →- Work From Home %2.9%
- Walkability (0–100)22
- Broadband %80.6%
ZIP 92078
San Marcos city, CA
View full profile →- Work From Home %23.1%
- Walkability (0–100)65
- Broadband %95.3%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
2.9%23.1%
Walkability (0–100)
2265
Broadband %
80.6%95.3%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 78656 and 92078 compare?
ZIP 78656 is more affordable rent, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment. ZIP 92078 is wealthier, higher home values, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (78656), orange the second (92078). The same colors are used in the map markers and comparison bars.
Where does this data come from?
Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal sources. See our Methodology page for details.
How can I compare other ZIP codes?
From any ZIP page, use the "Compare with Another ZIP" tool, or go to /compare/XXXXX-vs-YYYYY (replace with two 5-digit ZIP codes).
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