Corpus Christi TX vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Corpus Christi
317,383
Corpus Christi +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Corpus Christi +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 176,666 | Corpus Christi + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 54.7% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 4.3% | 1.6% | Corpus Christi + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 23.4% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Corpus Christi +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,691 | Corpus Christi + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Corpus Christi +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Corpus Christi +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $438,754 | Corpus Christi + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 55.7% | Corpus Christi + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Corpus Christi +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3001 | Corpus Christi + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Corpus Christi +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Corpus Christi +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 41.4% | Corpus Christi + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.8% | Corpus Christi + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Corpus Christi +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | 39.7 in | Corpus Christi + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Corpus Christi +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 24.5 min | Corpus Christi + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while corpus Christi offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,494. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Corpus Christi. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Corpus Christi scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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