Corpus Christi TX vs Houston 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Corpus Christi
317,383
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Corpus Christi +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Houston
44.1%
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 54.7% | 35.5% | Corpus Christi + |
| Black | 4.3% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 44.1% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Corpus Christi +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Houston
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Corpus Christi +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Corpus Christi +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $62,894 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.7% | Corpus Christi + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 19.7% | Corpus Christi + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Corpus Christi +
Houston
$265,062
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Corpus Christi +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $265,062 | Corpus Christi + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 42.0% | Corpus Christi + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Houston
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Houston
2339
Tie
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Houston, 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%
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Corpus Christi +
Houston
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Houston
24.0%
Houston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Corpus Christi +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 38.0% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 13.9% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.1% | Corpus Christi + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 24.0% | Houston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.6% | Corpus Christi + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Corpus Christi +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | 48.7 in | Corpus Christi + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Houston, 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 +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 29.6 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, Houston 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 Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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