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

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%

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 +

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

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%

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

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Corpus Christi +
Independence
25.5 min

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%.

Compare More Cities

About Corpus Christi & Independence