Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Corpus Christi, TX
VS
Wichita Falls, TX
🏆 Wichita Falls leads 15 of 23 categories
Corpus Christi
Texas
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.8
Median Household Income
$64,449 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
227⚠ High
Population
317,804 ✓ Larger
Wichita Falls
Texas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
88.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$55,584
Violent Crime Index
92 ✓ Safer
Population
102,482
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Corpus Christi, TX
Pros
Households earn $8,865 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 63°F vs 55°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 89°F vs 97°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
Higher unemployment (5.6% vs 4.4%)
Cost of living runs 7% higher than Wichita Falls
Wichita Falls, TX
Pros
59% less violent crime than Corpus Christi
Homes cost $52k less ($128,800 vs $180,900)
Rent averages $229/mo less ($949 vs $1,178)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (4.4%)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 88.9)
Cons
Median income trails Corpus Christi by $8,865/yr
Property crime (2618.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Corpus Christi
Median Income
$8,865
$64,449 vs $55,584/yr
Wichita Falls
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 88.9 vs 95.8 (100 = US avg)
Wichita Falls
Violent Crime
59% lower
350.3 vs 863.6 per 100k
Wichita Falls
Median Home Value
$52k less
$128,800 vs $180,900
Wichita Falls
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
4.4% vs 5.6% unemployment
Wichita Falls
Summer Heat
8.5°F warmer
July avg high 97.2°F vs 88.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Wichita Falls, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.8 | 88.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $180,900 | $128,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,178 | $949 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,449 ✓ Higher | $55,584 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High | 4.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min | 14.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 4.5% | 6.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 194⚠ High | 105⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 227⚠ High | 92 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 143⚠ High | 125⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (84) | C+ (88) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.0:1 | 15.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 23.1% | 24.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 85.0% | 86.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | CORPUS CHRISTI ISD | WICHITA FALLS ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 63.3°F ✓ Warmer | 54.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.7°F | 97.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.1" | 27.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 3.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 317,804 ✓ Larger | 102,482 |
| Median Age | 35.7 ✓ Older | 32.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.3% ✓ Higher | 56.3% |
| Under 18 | 24.0% ✓ More | 22.8% |
| Over 65 | 14.5% ✓ More | 14.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Corpus Christi's cost of living index is 95.8 vs Wichita Falls's 88.9 (US average = 100).
Wichita Falls is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Wichita Falls leads 15 of 23 categories. Corpus Christi wins 8 and Wichita Falls wins 15. 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 Wichita Falls or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($180,900 vs $128,800 median home), income ($64,449 vs $55,584), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Corpus Christi, TX and Wichita Falls, TX are about 433 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.