Corpus Christi TX vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Corpus Christi
317,383
Corpus Christi +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 186,419 | Corpus Christi + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 54.7% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 4.3% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 23.1% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Corpus Christi +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Corpus Christi +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Corpus Christi + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.7% | Corpus Christi + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Corpus Christi +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Corpus Christi +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $468,328 | Corpus Christi + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 41.6% | Corpus Christi + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Corpus Christi +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Corpus Christi + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Tempe
18.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 18.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Tempe
71.3°F
Tempe +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 71.3°F | Tempe + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Corpus Christi +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 23.2 min | Corpus Christi + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while corpus Christi offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,494. On public safety, Corpus Christi is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. Corpus Christi has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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