Corpus Christi TX vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Corpus Christi
317,383
Corpus Christi +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Corpus Christi +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Corpus Christi +
Independence
5.3%
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Corpus Christi +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 121,944 | Corpus Christi + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 38.4 | Corpus Christi + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 5.3% | Corpus Christi + |
| White | 54.7% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 4.3% | 10.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.4% | Corpus Christi + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 12.4% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Corpus Christi +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Corpus Christi +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Corpus Christi +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Corpus Christi +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Corpus Christi +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $59,480 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $31,683 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | Corpus Christi + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.0% | Corpus Christi + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 20.9% | Corpus Christi + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Corpus Christi +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Corpus Christi +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 501 | Corpus Christi + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2418 | Corpus Christi + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Corpus Christi +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Corpus Christi +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.9% | Corpus Christi + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.8% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 18.4% | Corpus Christi + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Corpus Christi +
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | 43.7 in | Corpus Christi + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Corpus Christi +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Corpus Christi + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Corpus Christi +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.5 min | Corpus Christi + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corpus Christi leads in median household income at $66,325, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Corpus Christi is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Corpus Christi has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Corpus Christi has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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