Columbia SC 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Corpus Christi
317,383
Corpus Christi +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Corpus Christi
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Corpus Christi
36.3
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Corpus Christi +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Corpus Christi +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Corpus Christi
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 317,383 | Corpus Christi + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 36.3 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 8.7% | Corpus Christi + |
| White | 49.9% | 54.7% | Corpus Christi + |
| Black | 39.5% | 4.3% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.5% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 61.4% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Corpus Christi +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Corpus Christi +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Corpus Christi +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Corpus Christi +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Corpus Christi
24.3%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $66,325 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $33,579 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,758 | Corpus Christi + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.4% | Corpus Christi + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 17.5% | Corpus Christi + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 24.3% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Corpus Christi +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Corpus Christi +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $226,494 | Corpus Christi + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 57.9% | Corpus Christi + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Corpus Christi
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Corpus Christi
2339
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Corpus Christi +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Corpus Christi
13.5%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 39.7% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.9% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.8% | Corpus Christi + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 24.3% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.3% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.5% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Columbia +
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Corpus Christi +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 72.1°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 32.5 in | Corpus Christi + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Corpus Christi
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 22.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corpus Christi leads in median household income at $66,325, while corpus Christi offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,494. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Corpus Christi. Corpus Christi has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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