Chicago IL vs Corpus Christi TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Corpus Christi, TX
Texas · Population: 317,383
- Median HH Income$66,325
- Median Home Price$226,494
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+24.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Corpus Christi
317,383
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Corpus Christi
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Corpus Christi
36.3
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Corpus Christi
8.7%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Corpus Christi +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Corpus Christi
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 317,383 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.3 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 8.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 54.7% | Corpus Christi + |
| Black | 28.4% | 4.3% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 2.5% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 61.4% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Corpus Christi +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Corpus Christi
24.3%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $66,325 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $33,579 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.4% | Corpus Christi + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 17.5% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 24.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Corpus Christi +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Corpus Christi +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $226,494 | Corpus Christi + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 57.9% | Corpus Christi + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Corpus Christi
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Corpus Christi
2339
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Corpus Christi
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Corpus Christi +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Corpus Christi
13.5%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 39.7% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.9% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.8% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 24.3% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 18.3% | Corpus Christi + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.5% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Corpus Christi +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 72.1°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 32.5 in | Corpus Christi + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Corpus Christi +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Corpus Christi + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Corpus Christi +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 22.0 min | Corpus Christi + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while corpus Christi offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,494. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Corpus Christi. Corpus Christi has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Corpus Christi has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
Compare More Cities
Chicago, IL vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXChicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZChicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PAChicago, IL vs San Antonio, TX