Corpus Christi TX vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Corpus Christi
317,383
Corpus Christi +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Corpus Christi +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 220,482 | Corpus Christi + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.3 | Corpus Christi + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 54.7% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 4.3% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 13.1% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Corpus Christi +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Corpus Christi +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $496,966 | Corpus Christi + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 56.5% | Corpus Christi + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Corpus Christi +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Corpus Christi + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Corpus Christi +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.7% | Corpus Christi + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Corpus Christi +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | 39.2 in | Corpus Christi + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Corpus Christi +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 31.1 min | Corpus Christi + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while corpus Christi offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,494. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Corpus Christi. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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