Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Corpus Christi, TX
VS
Houston, TX
🏆 Corpus Christi leads 17 of 22 categories
Corpus Christi
Texas
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,449 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
227⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
317,804
Houston
Texas
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$60,440
Violent Crime Index
302⚠ High
Population
2,296,253 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Corpus Christi, TX
Pros
25% less violent crime than Houston
Homes cost $54k less ($180,900 vs $235,000)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (5.6%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Households earn $4,009 more per year on average
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Houston
Cons
Violent crime (863.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3011.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Houston, TX
Pros
More college-educated — 35.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (1148.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4293.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 5.6%)
Median income trails Corpus Christi by $4,009/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Corpus Christi
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 95.8 vs 100.2 (100 = US avg)
Corpus Christi
Median Income
$4,009
$64,449 vs $60,440/yr
Corpus Christi
Violent Crime
25% lower
863.6 vs 1148.2 per 100k
Corpus Christi
Median Home Value
$54k less
$180,900 vs $235,000
Corpus Christi
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
5.6% vs 6.6% unemployment
Houston
Summer Heat
4.5°F warmer
July avg high 93.2°F vs 88.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.8 ✓ Cheaper | 100.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $180,900 ✓ Lower | $235,000 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,178 ✓ Lower | $1,235 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,449 ✓ Higher | $60,440 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 27.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 4.5% | 9.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 194⚠ High ✓ Safer | 263⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 227⚠ High ✓ Safer | 302⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 143⚠ High ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (84) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 23.1% | 35.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 85.0% ✓ Higher | 79.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | CORPUS CHRISTI ISD | HOUSTON ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 63.3°F ✓ Warmer | 62.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.7°F | 93.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.1" ✓ Drier | 55.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 317,804 | 2,296,253 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.7 ✓ Older | 33.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.3% ✓ Higher | 42.0% |
| Under 18 | 24.0% ✓ More | 23.9% |
| Over 65 | 14.5% ✓ More | 11.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Corpus Christi's cost of living index is 95.8 vs Houston's 100.2 (US average = 100).
Corpus Christi is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Corpus Christi leads 17 of 22 categories. Corpus Christi wins 17 and Houston wins 5. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Corpus Christi to Houston or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($180,900 vs $235,000 median home), income ($64,449 vs $60,440), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Corpus Christi, TX and Houston, TX are about 177 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.