A+
6%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
10%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Corpus Christi Texas National
Cost of living9492100
Goods & Services9296100
Groceries9796100
Health care8594100
Housing9083100
Transportation9392100
Utilities116104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Corpus Christi, TX

Knowing the cost of living in Corpus Christi allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Corpus Christi stands at 94, marking it 6% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Corpus Christi closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Corpus Christi can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Corpus Christi?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 20 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Corpus Christi and this is how they responded. 40% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 60% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Corpus Christi Affordable?

Is Corpus Christi affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Corpus Christi, the median home price is 18.7% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 11.2% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Corpus Christi boasting a median household income of $57,387, 3.7% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Corpus Christi?

Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Corpus Christi, is 9.8% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Corpus Christi, the transportation index is 7% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Corpus Christi cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Corpus Christi is 2% higher than the Texas average
  • The cost of living in Corpus Christi is 6% lower than the national average
  • Corpus Christi housing is 10% lower than the national average
  • Texas general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Texas state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Corpus Christi

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Compare Corpus Christi, TX Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$74,092$6,174$1,729$2,223
      Renters$41,413$3,451$966$1,243
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Corpus Christi, TX, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Corpus Christi have a median income of $74,092. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,729 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $41,413, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $966.

      Texas Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Texas 6.25% 8.25%

      Texas Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Texas 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Corpus Christi National avg. Difference
      Haircut $21.53$24.2611.3%
      Beauty Salon $42.00$45.567.8%
      Toothpaste $3.59$3.703.0%
      Shampoo $1.19$1.287.3%
      Movie $9.60$12.1320.9%
      Bowling $18.83$18.004.6%

      Groceries

      Item Corpus Christi National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.60$5.844.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.66$1.575.3%
      Milk $4.63$4.671.0%
      Potatoes $4.86$4.931.5%
      Pizza $13.24$12.099.5%
      Beer $10.07$10.413.3%

      Health Care

      Item Corpus Christi National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $126.53$125.680.7%
      Doctor $101.11$135.7825.5%
      Dentist $91.28$113.2919.4%
      Ibuprofen $10.41$10.652.2%
      Lipitor $468.06$468.600.1%

      Housing

      Item Corpus Christi National avg. Difference
      Home Price $150,100.00$184,700.0018.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,663.11$2,346.6929.1%
      Apartment Rent $1,055.00$949.0011.2%

      Transportation

      Item Corpus Christi National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.07$3.4611.4%
      Tire Balancing $62.05$59.923.6%

      Utilities

      Item Corpus Christi National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $234.01$193.9920.6%
      Phone $209.24$192.258.8%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Loma Linda, TX138964.1%
      Tradewinds, TX106964.1%
      Del Sol, TX203964.1%
      Falman, TX8964.1%
      La Paloma Addition, TX3617426.3%
      Corpus Christi, TX326,332945.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Riverside, CA327,56913635.6%
      Lexington-Fayette, KY322,2001011.2%
      Vaughan, ON321,974n/a 
      Santa Ana, CA332,61015352.6%
      Stockton, CA311,10312525.1%
      Corpus Christi, TX326,332945.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.