Corpus Christi TX vs Grand Rapids MI — 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%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Corpus Christi
317,383
Corpus Christi +
Grand Rapids
197,768
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 197,768 | Corpus Christi + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 11.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 54.7% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 4.3% | 17.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 16.1% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Corpus Christi +
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Corpus Christi +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Corpus Christi +
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $65,526 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $33,953 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Corpus Christi + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 18.6% | Corpus Christi + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Corpus Christi +
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Corpus Christi +
Grand Rapids
54.6%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $309,801 | Corpus Christi + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 54.6% | Corpus Christi + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Corpus Christi +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Corpus Christi + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Corpus Christi +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Corpus Christi +
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 36.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.9% | Corpus Christi + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 17.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.0% | Corpus Christi + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Corpus Christi +
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | 38.3 in | Corpus Christi + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Corpus Christi +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Corpus Christi + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
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, Corpus Christi is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Corpus Christi has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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