Corpus Christi TX vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Corpus Christi
317,383
Corpus Christi +
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Corpus Christi +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Corpus Christi +
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Corpus Christi +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 183,032 | Corpus Christi + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 42.9 | Corpus Christi + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 54.7% | 51.3% | Corpus Christi + |
| Black | 4.3% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.6% | Corpus Christi + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 20.1% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 39.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Corpus Christi +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Corpus Christi +
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $510,297 | Corpus Christi + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 53.8% | Corpus Christi + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 12.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 14.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Corpus Christi +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Corpus Christi +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 75.5°F | Corpus Christi + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | 66.5 in | Corpus Christi + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Corpus Christi +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 28.5 min | Corpus Christi + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while corpus Christi offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,494. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Corpus Christi. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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