Corpus Christi TX vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Corpus Christi
317,383
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Corpus Christi +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 54.7% | 51.8% | Corpus Christi + |
| Black | 4.3% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 26.2% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Corpus Christi +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Corpus Christi +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $376,530 | Corpus Christi + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 50.2% | Corpus Christi + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Corpus Christi +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.4% | Corpus Christi + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.7% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Corpus Christi +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Corpus Christi +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 73.4°F | Corpus Christi + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | 46.3 in | Corpus Christi + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Corpus Christi +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 26.8 min | Corpus Christi + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while corpus Christi offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,494. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Corpus Christi. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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