Corpus Christi TX vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Corpus Christi
317,383
Corpus Christi +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Corpus Christi +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Corpus Christi +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Corpus Christi +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 121,537 | Corpus Christi + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.1 | Corpus Christi + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 6.6% | Corpus Christi + |
| White | 54.7% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 4.3% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.1% | Corpus Christi + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 7.6% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Corpus Christi +
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Corpus Christi +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Corpus Christi +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $61,454 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | Corpus Christi + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 19.1% | Corpus Christi + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Corpus Christi +
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 55.0% | Corpus Christi + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Corpus Christi +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Corpus Christi +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | Corpus Christi + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | Corpus Christi + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Corpus Christi +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Lafayette
17.8%
Lafayette +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Corpus Christi +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 14.0% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.4% | Corpus Christi + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 17.8% | Lafayette + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.1% | Corpus Christi + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Lafayette
67.6°F
Lafayette +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Corpus Christi +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 67.6°F | Lafayette + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | 61.0 in | Corpus Christi + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corpus Christi leads in median household income at $66,325, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Corpus Christi is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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