Corpus Christi TX vs Joliet IL — 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%
Joliet, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,785
- Median HH Income$88,026
- Median Home Price$264,637
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Corpus Christi
317,383
Corpus Christi +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Corpus Christi +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Corpus Christi +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Joliet
34.7%
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 149,785 | Corpus Christi + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 54.7% | 52.7% | Corpus Christi + |
| Black | 4.3% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.1% | Corpus Christi + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 34.7% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Corpus Christi +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Joliet
25.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $35,820 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.8% | Corpus Christi + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 25.0% | Joliet + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Corpus Christi +
Joliet
$264,637
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $264,637 | Corpus Christi + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Corpus Christi +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Corpus Christi +
Joliet
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Corpus Christi +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Corpus Christi +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 41.9% | Corpus Christi + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.7% | Corpus Christi + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 13.9% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 19.1% | Corpus Christi + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.0% | Corpus Christi + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Corpus Christi +
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | 36.8 in | Corpus Christi + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Corpus Christi +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 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 +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 31.7 min | Corpus Christi + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while corpus Christi offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,494. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Corpus Christi. 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, Corpus Christi scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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