New Homes in San Marcos, TX

San Marcos is located in Hays County in Central Texas, with city limits extending into Caldwell and Guadalupe counties, along Interstate 35 between Austin and San Antonio. It sits about 30 miles south of Austin and roughly 50 miles north of San Antonio, placing it directly along the fast-growing I-35 corridor.

Latitude: 29.8833° N, Longitude: 97.9414° W

San Marcos is best known for Texas State University, the crystal-clear San Marcos River and its major outlet shopping centers, including San Marcos Premium Outlets and Tanger Outlets San Marcos. The city blends a vibrant college-town atmosphere with Hill Country scenery and outdoor recreation.

Other notable attractions include Sewell Park, Rio Vista Park, Wonder World Cave and Adventure Park, The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, the LBJ Museum of San Marcos, Purgatory Creek Natural Area, Five Mile Dam Park and the historic downtown square. These attractions help make San Marcos a popular weekend destination between Austin and San Antonio.

San Marcos has an estimated population of more than 65,000, with steady growth driven by its location between Austin and San Antonio and by Texas State University. Population figures are updated regularly, so exact numbers may vary over time.

Yes. San Marcos is part of the Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos Metropolitan Statistical Area, one of the fastest growing metro regions in the United States.

San Marcos is widely known for its outdoor recreation, particularly activities centered around the spring-fed San Marcos River. Popular activities include tubing, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming and snorkeling in the river’s clear water.

Additional outdoor destinations include Sewell Park, Rio Vista Park, Purgatory Creek Natural Area, Five Mile Dam Park, Spring Lake Preserve and Schulle Canyon Natural Area. These parks offer hiking trails, mountain biking routes, wildlife-viewing areas and scenic picnic spots throughout the Texas Hill Country.

Major employers in San Marcos include Texas State University, Hays County, the City of San Marcos, Amazon, H-E-B, Central Texas Medical Center (Baylor Scott & White Health), McCoy’s Building Supply, Thermon Manufacturing, CFAN (a GE Aviation joint venture) and Tanger Outlets San Marcos.

The city also benefits from large regional employers throughout the Austin–San Antonio corridor, including Tesla, Dell Technologies, Oracle, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas, USAA and Samsung Austin Semiconductor, all within commuting distance of many San Marcos neighborhoods.

San Marcos has a diverse economy driven by education, healthcare, retail, advanced manufacturing, logistics, tourism and technology services. Texas State University anchors the education sector, while the San Marcos Industrial Park supports advanced manufacturing and distribution employers serving the broader Austin–San Antonio corridor.

Retail and tourism also play a significant role thanks to the San Marcos Premium Outlets and Tanger Outlets, which together form one of the largest outlet shopping destinations in the United States.

The corridor between Austin and San Antonio is considered one of the strongest housing markets in Texas because it combines rapid population growth, major corporate investment and strong job creation. The region benefits from major employers such as Tesla, Dell Technologies, Oracle, Samsung Austin Semiconductor, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas and USAA.

Cities along Interstate 35, including San Marcos, Kyle and New Braunfels, have experienced significant residential growth as homebuyers seek more space and affordability while remaining within commuting distance of Austin and San Antonio.

At the time of writing, median home prices in the San Marcos (Hays County) area generally fall in the mid-$300,000 range, although values vary depending on neighborhood, home size and local market conditions. Because San Marcos sits between two of Texas’s fastest-growing metro areas, housing demand has remained strong.

San Marcos’ cost of living is generally lower than in nearby Austin, particularly for housing, while still offering access to the same regional employment corridor. This affordability attracts first-time buyers, young professionals and families seeking attainable homeownership in Central Texas. Homebuyers comparing communities across the region may also want to look at our new homes in Austin and our San Antonio new home developments, all within the rapidly growing I-35 corridor.

Residents enjoy year round river recreation on the San Marcos River, Hill Country scenery, a vibrant college town atmosphere and convenient proximity to Austin and San Antonio. Parks, trails, festivals and cultural events contribute to a strong community feel.

Yes. Texas State University, a large public research university with more than 44,000 students across its campuses, is located in San Marcos. The university is a major driver of the local economy, culture and year round activity.

San Marcos offers direct access to Interstate 35, making commuting to Austin and San Antonio straightforward. Regional bus services operate in the area, and residents are within driving distance of Austin Bergstrom International Airport and San Antonio International Airport for domestic and international flights.

Yes. LGI Homes specializes in building move in ready new construction homes with designer upgrades included at no extra cost. Homebuyers can move into their new San Marcos residence in as little as 30–45 days after completing their home financing paperwork. 

Every LGI home includes thousands of dollars in modern, attractive upgrades at no additional cost. Our new homes in San Marcos feature a chef-ready kitchen, stainless-steel appliances, upgraded countertops and flooring, dual-pane Low-E windows, integrated technology, professionally landscaped front yards and much more. Specific upgrades and upgrade packages vary by community.  

The CompleteHome Plus™ upgrade package offers homebuyers more upgrades and a higher level of luxury. CompleteHome Plus™ upgrades vary by community, but in every neighborhood, buyers can expect an inviting 8-foot, 3/4-lite door, 42” wood cabinetry, top-tier appliances, tile backsplashes, 2” faux wood blinds, and 9-foot ceilings. 

LGI Homes are built with energy saving features such as double pane Low E windows, programmable thermostats and energy efficient or ENERGY STAR® rated appliances to help reduce monthly utility costs. These features support year round comfort in Central Texas’ warm climate.

New LGI homes include a structural warranty and a one-year workmanship warranty, giving buyers added confidence in their home’s construction. Appliances and major systems are also covered by manufacturer and builder backed protections, and homeowners can submit warranty requests online for service.

Homebuyers looking for new construction homes in Texas can find new home communities and Texas new construction homes in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Houston, Katy, Austin and San Antonio, as well as the San Marcos region. For new homebuyers seeking custom-quality new homes, Terrata Homes has new home neighborhoods in San Marcos, Austin, San Antonio, Houston and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Terrata is part of the LGI Homes family of brands.

San Marcos is often a strong fit for first time homebuyers because it offers more affordable home prices than nearby Austin while still providing access to major employment centers. New construction communities from homebuilders like LGI Homes can help buyers lock in predictable payments with modern, low maintenance homes.

San Marcos is approximately 30 miles south of Austin and about 50 miles north of San Antonio along Interstate 35 (I-35). Many residents commute to jobs in either metro while enjoying San Marcos’ smaller city feel and riverfront lifestyle.

San Marcos offers family friendly parks, playgrounds, river access, youth sports and community events that many families find appealing. New neighborhoods often include sidewalks, green spaces and nearby schools designed to support everyday family life.

Homeowners in San Marcos enjoy easy access to tubing and kayaking on the San Marcos River, nearby Hill Country trails, local parks and sports fields. Many LGI communities are a short drive from river access points, nature areas and regional attractions between Austin and San Antonio.

Many LGI buyers in Texas use popular loan programs such as FHA, VA, USDA (in eligible areas) and conventional loans through LGI’s preferred lender or a lender of their choice. Eligibility depends on factors such as income, credit, property location, and loan program guidelines, so buyers should speak with a lender or an LGI New Home Consultant about their specific situation.

My San Antonio - The Texas Hill Country’s Most Affordable Towns with Charm - https://www.mysanantonio.com/lifestyle/article/texas-hill-country-affordable-towns-21020067.php
Niche - San Marcos, TX - https://www.niche.com/places-to-live/san-marcos-hays-tx/
World Atlas - The 15 Best Places to Live in Texas 2025 - https://www.worldatlas.com/cities/the-15-best-places-to-live-in-texas.html
Wikipedia – San Marcos, Texas – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Marcos,_Texas
Texas Heritage for Living – City Spotlight: San Marcos – https://blog.txfb-ins.com/texas-travel/city-spotlight-san-marcos/
Visit San Marcos – San Marcos, TX Travel Guide | Tourist Information Center – https://www.visitsanmarcos.com/plan-your-visit/about-san-marcos/
Texas State University – TXST Facts & Data – https://brand.txst.edu/resources/press-kit/facts-and-data.html
Texas State University News – Texas State spring 2026 enrollment exceeds 41,000, setting new record – https://news.txst.edu/accolades-and-achievements/2026/spring-enrollment-sets-new-txst-record.html
Texas Escapes – San Marcos, Texas – https://www.texasescapes.com/TexasHillCountryTowns/SanMarcosTexas/SanMarcosTexas.htm
Search Austin Homes – 2025 Housing Trends Point to Long-term Stability in Central Texas – https://www.searchaustinhomes.com/blog/2025-housing-trends-point-to-long-term-stability-in-central-texas/
KUT – Austin home prices were flat in 2025 but could drop in 2026 – https://www.kut.org/austin/2025-12-16/austin-tx-housing-market-home-prices-2025
CultureMap Austin – Austin housing market drops its ‘urgency’ in more stable 2026 – https://austin.culturemap.com/news/real-estate/real-estate-report-december-2025/
KXAN - Austin’s Housing Market: How Quickly Are Homes Selling and for How Much? - https://www.kxan.com/news/housing/austin-housing-market-data/
Texas State University – Facts & Data – https://brand.txst.edu/resources/press-kit/facts-and-data.html
Visit San Marcos – About San Marcos – https://www.visitsanmarcos.com/plan-your-visit/about-san-marcos/
Wikipedia – San Marcos, Texas – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Marcos,_Texas
Texas Escapes – San Marcos, Texas – https://www.texasescapes.com/TexasHillCountryTowns/SanMarcosTexas/SanMarcosTexas.htm