Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Corpus Christi, TX
VS
Suffolk, VA
🏆 Suffolk leads 12 of 23 categories
Corpus Christi
Texas
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,449
Violent Crime Index
227⚠ High
Population
317,804 ✓ Larger
Suffolk
Virginia
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4
Median Household Income
$87,758 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
98 ✓ Safer
Population
94,856
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Corpus Christi, TX
Pros
Homes cost $134k less ($180,900 vs $314,400)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Rent averages $198/mo less ($1,178 vs $1,376)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (5.6%)
Milder winters — January highs near 63°F vs 49°F
Cons
Median income trails Suffolk by $23,309/yr
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
Suffolk, VA
Pros
57% less violent crime than Corpus Christi
Households earn $23,309 more per year on average
More college-educated — 32.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Smaller class sizes — 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $314,400
Higher rents — median is $1,376/mo
Higher unemployment (6.3% vs 5.6%)
Longer commutes — 29.6 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Corpus Christi
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 95.8 vs 97.4 (100 = US avg)
Corpus Christi
Median Home Value
$134k less
$180,900 vs $314,400
Corpus Christi
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
5.6% vs 6.3% unemployment
Suffolk
Median Income
$23,309
$87,758 vs $64,449/yr
Suffolk
Violent Crime
57% lower
371.0 vs 863.6 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Suffolk, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.8 ✓ Cheaper | 97.4 |
| Median Home Value | $180,900 ✓ Lower | $314,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,178 ✓ Lower | $1,376⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,449 | $87,758 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 4.5% | 7.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 194⚠ High | 89 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 227⚠ High | 98 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 143⚠ High | 75 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (84) | B (99) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.0:1 | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 23.1% | 32.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 85.0% | 91.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | CORPUS CHRISTI ISD | Suffolk City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 63.3°F ✓ Warmer | 49.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.7°F ✓ Warmer | 86.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.1" ✓ Drier | 51.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 5.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 317,804 ✓ Larger | 94,856 |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 38.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.3% | 70.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.0% ✓ More | 23.6% |
| Over 65 | 14.5% | 14.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Corpus Christi's cost of living index is 95.8 vs Suffolk's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Corpus Christi is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Suffolk leads 12 of 23 categories. Corpus Christi wins 11 and Suffolk wins 12. 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 Suffolk or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($180,900 vs $314,400 median home), income ($64,449 vs $87,758), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Corpus Christi, TX and Suffolk, VA are about 1,346 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.