Corpus Christi TX vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Corpus Christi
317,383
Corpus Christi +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Corpus Christi +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Corpus Christi +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 141,925 | Corpus Christi + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 54.7% | 54.0% | Corpus Christi + |
| Black | 4.3% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.0% | Corpus Christi + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 29.9% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Corpus Christi +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Corpus Christi +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Waco
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Corpus Christi +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $51,468 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $28,819 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 24.0% | Corpus Christi + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Corpus Christi +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 48.9% | Corpus Christi + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Waco
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Waco
2339
Tie
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Corpus Christi +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Corpus Christi +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 20.4% | Corpus Christi + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.1% | Corpus Christi + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Waco
66.6°F
Waco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Corpus Christi +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 66.6°F | Waco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | 36.4 in | Corpus Christi + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corpus Christi leads in median household income at $66,325, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Corpus Christi. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
Compare More Cities
Corpus Christi, TX vs New York, NYCorpus Christi, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Corpus Christi, TXCorpus Christi, TX vs Houston, TXCorpus Christi, TX vs Phoenix, AZCorpus Christi, TX vs Philadelphia, PA