Corpus Christi TX vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Corpus Christi
317,383
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Paterson
N/A
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 54.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 4.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Corpus Christi +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $527,542 | Corpus Christi + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Corpus Christi +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Corpus Christi +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Corpus Christi +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Corpus Christi +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 16.1% | Corpus Christi + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.6% | Corpus Christi + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 28.6% | Corpus Christi + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.4% | Corpus Christi + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Corpus Christi offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,494. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Corpus Christi. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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