Corpus Christi TX vs Des Moines IA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Corpus Christi, TX
Texas · Population: 317,383
- Median HH Income$66,325
- Median Home Price$226,494
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+24.3%
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Corpus Christi
317,383
Corpus Christi +
Des Moines
212,464
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Des Moines
16.0%
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 212,464 | Corpus Christi + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 14.0% | Des Moines + |
| White | 54.7% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 4.3% | 12.0% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 16.0% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Corpus Christi +
Des Moines
$63,966
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Corpus Christi +
Des Moines
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Corpus Christi +
Des Moines
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $63,966 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $36,459 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,226 | Corpus Christi + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.8% | Corpus Christi + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 14.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 29.0% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Des Moines
39.4%
Des Moines +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Corpus Christi +
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Corpus Christi +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Corpus Christi +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 39.4% | Des Moines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 11.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.0% | Corpus Christi + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 10.6% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 19.8% | Corpus Christi + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.4% | Corpus Christi + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Corpus Christi +
Des Moines
35.6 in
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 49.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | 35.6 in | Corpus Christi + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Corpus Christi +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Des Moines
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Corpus Christi + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corpus Christi leads in median household income at $66,325, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 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, Des Moines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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