Cost of Living in Corpus Christi, TX

Population 317,383 · Texas · Data vintage 2023

76
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Corpus Christi stay well under national norms: a median home value of $197,000 against median household incomes of $66,325 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Texas.

Cost Overview

Housing 65
Rent 94

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Corpus Christi

The median home value in Corpus Christi is $197,100 — 35% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,230/month, 6% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $66,325/year is 11% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.4%, above the national average of 4.8%. Texas charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 82.0°F and lows of 67.9°F. Overall, Corpus Christi has a cost of living index of 76 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 24% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$197,100
35% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$220,110
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,230/mo
6% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,432/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.4x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$766
1 BR
$811
2 BR
$981
3 BR
$1,307
4 BR
$1,509
Owner-occupied 57.9%
Renter-occupied 42.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,230
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,844/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
22.1 min
18% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.8%
Carpooled
10.5%
Public transit
1.1%
Walked
1.3%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
4.8%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 8.2%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 1.9%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$66,325
11% below avg
Per Capita Income
$33,579
Unemployment Rate
5.4%
13% above avg
Poverty Rate
17.5%
Labor Force Participation
62.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.8%
Graduate degree 8.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.3
Male median age 35.2
Female median age 37.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
82.0°F
Avg Low
67.9°F
Annual Precip
35.2"
50° 63° 75° 88° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 687176828791929491857770
Low °F 525662687579808077716154
Precip" 1.791.652.372.483.593.552.642.046.214.722.671.50

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 48 — Good
53.7%
Good air days/yr
101
Max AQI recorded
231
PM2.5 days
134
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Corpus Christi, TX?

Corpus Christi has a cost index of 76 (100 = national average). It is 24% below the national average.

What is average rent in Corpus Christi, TX?

The median gross rent in Corpus Christi is $1,230 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Corpus Christi?

The median home value in Corpus Christi is $197,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Corpus Christi?

The median household income in Corpus Christi is $66,325 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Corpus Christi, TX?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Corpus Christi is 8.2%. Texas has no state income tax.

Is Corpus Christi, TX affordable?

Yes, Corpus Christi is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 76 — about 24% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Corpus Christi?

Corpus Christi has average high temperatures of 82.0°F and average lows of 67.9°F. Annual precipitation is 35.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.