Corpus Christi TX vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Corpus Christi
317,383
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 54.7% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 4.3% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 42.7% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Corpus Christi +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Corpus Christi +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Corpus Christi +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Corpus Christi +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Corpus Christi +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $54,546 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $31,152 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Corpus Christi + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 6.4% | Corpus Christi + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 18.8% | Corpus Christi + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Corpus Christi +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Corpus Christi +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $324,946 | Corpus Christi + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 51.7% | Corpus Christi + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Corpus Christi +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Corpus Christi + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Corpus Christi +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Tucson
15.7%
Tucson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.3% | Corpus Christi + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 15.7% | Tucson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Tucson
69.8°F
Tucson +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 69.8°F | Tucson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Corpus Christi +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 23.9 min | Corpus Christi + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corpus Christi leads in median household income at $66,325, 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 Tucson. Corpus Christi has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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