Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Corpus Christi, TX
VS
Joliet, IL
🏆 Corpus Christi leads 12 of 23 categories
Corpus Christi
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,449
Violent Crime Index
227⚠ High
Population
317,804 ✓ Larger
Joliet
Illinois
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$84,971 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
92 ✓ Safer
Population
150,221
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Corpus Christi, TX
Pros
Homes cost $53k less ($180,900 vs $233,800)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 63°F vs 31°F
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.6 pts lower (5.6%)
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Joliet
Cons
Violent crime (863.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Joliet by $20,522/yr
Property crime (3011.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Joliet, IL
Pros
59% less violent crime than Corpus Christi
Households earn $20,522 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 89°F
Smaller class sizes — 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Longer commutes — 29.6 min average each way
Cost of living runs 7% higher than Corpus Christi
Key Differences at a Glance
Corpus Christi
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 95.8 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Corpus Christi
Median Home Value
$53k less
$180,900 vs $233,800
Corpus Christi
Unemployment
0.6 pp lower
5.6% vs 6.2% unemployment
Corpus Christi
Summer Heat
5.1°F warmer
July avg high 88.7°F vs 83.6°F
Joliet
Median Income
$20,522
$84,971 vs $64,449/yr
Joliet
Violent Crime
59% lower
350.0 vs 863.6 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Joliet, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.8 ✓ Cheaper | 102.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $180,900 ✓ Lower | $233,800 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,178 | $1,174 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,449 | $84,971 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 4.5% | 6.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 194⚠ High | 79 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 227⚠ High | 92 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 143⚠ High | 59 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (84) | B- (93) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.0:1 | 14.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 23.1% | 24.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 85.0% ✓ Higher | 84.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | CORPUS CHRISTI ISD | Joliet PSD 86 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 63.3°F ✓ Warmer | 31.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.7°F ✓ Warmer | 83.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.1" ✓ Drier | 40.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 16.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 317,804 ✓ Larger | 150,221 |
| Median Age | 35.7 ✓ Older | 34.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.3% | 72.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.0% | 26.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.5% ✓ More | 10.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Corpus Christi's cost of living index is 95.8 vs Joliet's 102.6 (US average = 100).
Corpus Christi is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Corpus Christi leads 12 of 23 categories. Corpus Christi wins 12 and Joliet wins 11. 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 Joliet or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($180,900 vs $233,800 median home), income ($64,449 vs $84,971), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Corpus Christi, TX and Joliet, IL are about 1,079 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.