Corpus Christi TX vs Elizabeth NJ — 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%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Corpus Christi
317,383
Corpus Christi +
Elizabeth
135,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Corpus Christi +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Corpus Christi +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 135,887 | Corpus Christi + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.8 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 54.7% | 24.8% | Corpus Christi + |
| Black | 4.3% | 17.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.8% | Corpus Christi + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Corpus Christi +
Elizabeth
$63,874
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Corpus Christi +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Corpus Christi +
Elizabeth
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Corpus Christi +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $63,874 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $28,490 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.9% | Corpus Christi + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 14.2% | Corpus Christi + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Corpus Christi +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Corpus Christi +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $531,592 | Corpus Christi + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 25.4% | Corpus Christi + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Corpus Christi +
Elizabeth
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Corpus Christi +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Corpus Christi +
Elizabeth
15.0%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 34.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 13.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.8% | Corpus Christi + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 28.1% | Corpus Christi + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.0% | Corpus Christi + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Corpus Christi +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 29.3 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, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Corpus Christi. Corpus Christi has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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