Corpus Christi TX vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Corpus Christi
317,383
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Corpus Christi +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Corpus Christi +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Corpus Christi +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 7.4% | Corpus Christi + |
| White | 54.7% | 25.0% | Corpus Christi + |
| Black | 4.3% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.7% | Corpus Christi + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 10.2% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Corpus Christi +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Corpus Christi +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Corpus Christi +
Memphis
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Corpus Christi +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Corpus Christi +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $51,211 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $32,314 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,097 | Corpus Christi + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 8.3% | Corpus Christi + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 22.5% | Corpus Christi + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 28.2% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Corpus Christi +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 46.0% | Corpus Christi + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Corpus Christi +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Corpus Christi +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 639 | Corpus Christi + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2350 | Corpus Christi + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Corpus Christi +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Corpus Christi +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Corpus Christi +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Corpus Christi +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 42.1% | Corpus Christi + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 17.6% | Corpus Christi + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 20.7% | Corpus Christi + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 14.9% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 19.9% | Corpus Christi + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Corpus Christi +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 60.9°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | 54.9 in | Corpus Christi + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Corpus Christi +
Memphis
22.9 min
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 22.9 min | Corpus Christi + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corpus Christi leads in median household income at $66,325, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Corpus Christi is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Corpus Christi has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Corpus Christi scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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