Corpus Christi TX vs El Paso TX — 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%
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Corpus Christi
317,383
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Corpus Christi +
El Paso
39.3%
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Corpus Christi +
El Paso
3.6%
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Corpus Christi +
El Paso
1.5%
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 678,147 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 54.7% | 39.3% | Corpus Christi + |
| Black | 4.3% | 3.6% | Corpus Christi + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.5% | Corpus Christi + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Corpus Christi +
El Paso
$58,734
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Corpus Christi +
El Paso
$28,942
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
El Paso
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Corpus Christi +
El Paso
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Corpus Christi +
El Paso
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
El Paso
27.5%
El Paso +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $58,734 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $28,942 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.2% | Corpus Christi + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 18.4% | Corpus Christi + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 27.5% | El Paso + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Corpus Christi +
El Paso
$235,994
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $235,994 | Corpus Christi + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 60.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
El Paso
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
El Paso
2339
Tie
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Corpus Christi +
El Paso
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Corpus Christi +
El Paso
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Corpus Christi +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 33.8% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 16.4% | Corpus Christi + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.2% | Corpus Christi + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 27.9% | Corpus Christi + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.5% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.2% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
El Paso
64.3°F
El Paso +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 64.3°F | El Paso + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
El Paso
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Corpus Christi +
El Paso
25.1 min
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.1 min | Corpus Christi + |
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, El Paso is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Corpus Christi. Corpus Christi has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and El Paso has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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