Corpus Christi TX vs Gastonia 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%
Gastonia, NC
North Carolina · Population: 81,632
- Median HH Income$60,554
- Median Home Price$279,838
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+27.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Corpus Christi
317,383
Corpus Christi +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Corpus Christi +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Corpus Christi +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Corpus Christi +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 81,632 | Corpus Christi + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.2 | Corpus Christi + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 7.3% | Corpus Christi + |
| White | 54.7% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 4.3% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.2% | Corpus Christi + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 11.4% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Corpus Christi +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Corpus Christi +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $60,554 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $33,611 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Corpus Christi + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 27.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Corpus Christi +
Gastonia
$279,838
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Corpus Christi +
Gastonia
54.2%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $279,838 | Corpus Christi + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 54.2% | Corpus Christi + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Corpus Christi +
Gastonia
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Corpus Christi +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 37.8% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 13.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.6% | Corpus Christi + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 12.5% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.6% | Corpus Christi + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Corpus Christi +
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 60.5°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | 43.0 in | Corpus Christi + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Corpus Christi +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 28.1 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, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Corpus Christi. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
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