Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Corpus Christi, TX
VS
Memphis, TN
🏆 Corpus Christi leads 12 of 22 categories
Corpus Christi
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.8
Median Household Income
$64,449 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
227⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
317,804
Memphis
Tennessee
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$48,090
Violent Crime Index
658⚠ High
Population
630,027 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Corpus Christi, TX
Pros
65% less violent crime than Memphis
Households earn $16,359 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.0 pts lower (5.6%)
Milder winters — January highs near 63°F vs 51°F
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
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Memphis
Memphis, TN
Pros
Homes cost $41k less ($139,600 vs $180,900)
Rent averages $128/mo less ($1,050 vs $1,178)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.4)
More college-educated — 27.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Corpus Christi
Cons
Median income trails Corpus Christi by $16,359/yr
Violent crime (2501.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (6899.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.6% vs 5.6%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Corpus Christi
Median Income
$16,359
$64,449 vs $48,090/yr
Corpus Christi
Violent Crime
65% lower
863.6 vs 2501.3 per 100k
Corpus Christi
Unemployment
3.0 pp lower
5.6% vs 8.6% unemployment
Memphis
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 92.4 vs 95.8 (100 = US avg)
Memphis
Median Home Value
$41k less
$139,600 vs $180,900
Memphis
Summer Heat
3.2°F warmer
July avg high 91.9°F vs 88.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Memphis, TN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.8 | 92.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $180,900 | $139,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,178 | $1,050 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,449 ✓ Higher | $48,090 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 21.6 min |
| Work From Home % | 4.5% | 6.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 194⚠ High ✓ Safer | 400⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 227⚠ High ✓ Safer | 658⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 143⚠ High ✓ Safer | 329⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (84) | C+ (88) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.0:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 23.1% | 27.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 85.0% | 87.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | CORPUS CHRISTI ISD | Memphis-Shelby County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 63.3°F ✓ Warmer | 50.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.7°F | 91.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.1" ✓ Drier | 54.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 2.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 317,804 | 630,027 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.7 ✓ Older | 34.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.3% ✓ Higher | 46.6% |
| Under 18 | 24.0% | 24.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.5% ✓ More | 14.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Corpus Christi's cost of living index is 95.8 vs Memphis's 92.4 (US average = 100).
Memphis is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Corpus Christi leads 12 of 22 categories. Corpus Christi wins 12 and Memphis wins 10. 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 Memphis or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($180,900 vs $139,600 median home), income ($64,449 vs $48,090), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Corpus Christi, TX and Memphis, TN are about 662 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.