Corpus Christi TX vs Durham NC — 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%
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Corpus Christi
317,383
Corpus Christi +
Durham
288,465
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Durham
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Corpus Christi +
Durham
44.0%
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Durham
14.7%
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Durham
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 288,465 | Corpus Christi + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.8 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 15.3% | Durham + |
| White | 54.7% | 44.0% | Corpus Christi + |
| Black | 4.3% | 34.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 14.7% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Corpus Christi +
Durham
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $79,234 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $47,246 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Corpus Christi + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.2% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 12.2% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 55.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Corpus Christi +
Durham
$399,509
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Corpus Christi +
Durham
51.8%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $399,509 | Corpus Christi + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 51.8% | Corpus Christi + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Durham
398
Durham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Durham
1999
Durham +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 36.8% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 10.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.2% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 10.7% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.6% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Corpus Christi +
Durham
47.8 in
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 57.9°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | 47.8 in | Corpus Christi + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Corpus Christi +
Durham
24.3 min
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 24.3 min | Corpus Christi + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while corpus Christi offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,494. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Corpus Christi. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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