Austin, Texas is a bustling hub of technology, culture, and innovation contrasting with Corpus Christi's coastal city charm, replete with beaches and maritime activities. Crucial factors that differentiate these two cities include crime and safety levels, weather patterns, the cost of living, education standards, and economic opportunities, among others. Both cities have unique offerings and challenges that may cater to different people's preferences and lifestyle needs, whether prospective residents or tourists.
Distance between
Austin, TX and
Corpus Christi, TX : 177.9 miles
Austin's population is larger by 203%. Its population has grown by 307,615 people (46.9%) since 2000. The population of Corpus Christi has grown by 40,319 people (14.5%) during that time.
While neither city can boast of being the safest in the United States, Austin generally has a lower crime rate compared to Corpus Christi. Austin's crime rate is slightly higher than the national average, but it's lower than in Corpus Christi, where the crime rate is considerably higher than the national average. It's important for potential residents or visitors to research neighborhoods and take preventive measures for personal safety.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 1,411 registered sex offenders living in Austin and 1,068 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Austin is 672 to 1; the ratio in Corpus Christi is 305 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is a smaller in Austin than in Corpus Christi.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Austin is higher compared to Corpus Christi. Housing costs significantly contribute to this disparity. Austin's thriving tech industry and cultural scene have contributed to an influx of residents, subsequently raising living costs. Corpus Christi, on the other hand, due to lesser industrial appeal, retains a comparatively lower cost of living.
Income Tax
As in all of Texas, both Austin and Corpus Christi do not impose state income tax.
Property Tax
Austin typically has a higher property tax rate than Corpus Christi due to the higher real estate values.
Sales Tax
Both cities have a sales tax rate of 8.25%, which includes the Texas state sales tax of 6.25% and local sales taxes.
Income
Type
Austin
Corpus Christi
Estimated median household income
$79,542
$59,812
Estimated per capita income
$53,937
$29,969
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.4
86.6
If you make $50,000 in Corpus Christi, you will have to make $55,658 in Austin to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Austin is in central Texas with a mix of rolling hills and lakes. Corpus Christi, on the southeast Texas coast, offers beautiful seaside views and beach activities.
Austin is renowned for its high educational standards, home to many prominent universities including the University of Texas at Austin. Corpus Christi also offers strong educational institutions like Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, but it doesn't match Austin's spectrum of educational opportunities and recognitions.
Austin's economy is pretty diversified, with a robust tech industry presence, including companies like Dell, IBM, and Apple. Corpus Christi's economy is largely based on oil refining, tourism, and the port industry. While Austin presents more job opportunities and higher salaries in the tech field, Corpus Christi offers opportunities in maritime-based industries and tourism.
Biggest Employers
In Austin, the biggest employers are the State of Texas, Austin Independent School District, and Dell. Conversely, in Corpus Christi, the largest employers include the Corpus Christi Independent School District, Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, and CHRISTUS Spohn Health System.
There were 4,180 building permits issued in Austin in 2012 (2467 more than in 2011) compared to 1,470 building permits issued in Corpus Christi in 2012 (839 more than in 2011).
In Austin (Travis County), 60.2% voted for Democrats and 36.2% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Corpus Christi (Nueces County), 47.6% voted for Democrats and 51.0% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Austin
Corpus Christi
Austin
Corpus Christi
Austin
Corpus Christi
2020
71.7%
47.9%
26.5%
50.8%
1.8%
1.4%
2016
65.8%
47.2%
27.2%
48.8%
7.0%
4.0%
2012
60.2%
47.6%
36.2%
51.0%
3.6%
1.4%
2008
63.8%
47.4%
34.4%
51.8%
1.8%
0.8%
2004
56.1%
42.6%
42.1%
56.9%
1.8%
0.4%
2000
41.7%
46.7%
47.0%
51.4%
11.3%
1.9%
1996
52.4%
53.7%
40.0%
40.2%
7.7%
6.1%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Austin
Corpus Christi
Austin
Corpus Christi
CATHOLIC CHURCH
17.3%
32.8%
4.5%
10.8%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
8.0%
10.6%
22.8%
28.6%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.4%
0.8%
2.8%
2.0%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.2%
0.7%
0.7%
0.3%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.0%
0.3%
2.5%
1.1%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.9%
0.5%
2.1%
1.7%
SALVATION ARMY
0.0%
0.5%
0.1%
0.3%
Weather
Austin's weather is typically hot and humid during summer, with mild and warm winter periods. Corpus Christi, being on the Gulf Coast, enjoys a subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Corpus Christi however is more prone to hurricanes than Austin.
Weather and climate
Type
Austin
Corpus Christi
Temperature - Average
68.5°F
71.5°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
75.2%
81.5%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
40%
37%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
89%
93%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
49%
56%
Precipitation - Yearly average
33.7 in
32.6 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
1.4 in
0.2 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
19.3%
17%
Sunshine amount - Average
63.3%
64.5%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
22%
36%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
72%
79%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
50%
43%
Wind speed - Average
7.2 mph
12.7 mph
Average climate in Austin, Texas
Average climate in Corpus Christi, Texas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PM25
SO2
Year
Austin
Corpus Christi
Austin
Austin
Austin
Corpus Christi
Austin
Corpus Christi
Austin
Corpus Christi
2018
76
89
N/A
N/A
4.9
N/A
26.7
23.9
8.7
9.2
0.2
0.4
2017
76
70
N/A
N/A
4.6
N/A
29.7
27.3
8.3
8.7
0.3
0.4
2016
71
59
N/A
N/A
4.2
N/A
29.5
26.9
8.2
8.1
0.2
0.5
2015
78
75
N/A
N/A
4.4
N/A
28.9
25.9
8.6
9.3
0.3
0.3
2014
74
75
N/A
N/A
5.2
N/A
28.3
26.1
8.7
9.3
0.5
0.2
2013
78
80
0.09
N/A
5.5
N/A
29.5
27.3
8.6
8.6
0.5
0.2
2012
86
78
0.13
N/A
5.5
N/A
30.1
28.6
8.6
8.9
N/A
0.2
2011
83
80
0.11
N/A
2.6
N/A
33.0
29.3
9.1
10.0
N/A
0.3
2010
77
85
0.05
N/A
3.2
N/A
29.4
27.9
8.8
9.7
N/A
0.5
2009
76
72
0.05
N/A
2.6
N/A
29.7
26.3
9.0
9.9
N/A
0.4
2008
81
82
0.12
N/A
3.2
N/A
30.7
26.4
9.7
10.0
N/A
0.6
2007
82
85
0.12
N/A
3.1
N/A
27.1
25.3
9.8
10.3
N/A
0.5
2006
89
88
0.14
N/A
3.8
N/A
31.3
27.0
10.0
10.3
0.2
0.7
2005
92
81
0.15
N/A
4.4
N/A
29.0
24.8
10.7
10.3
0.2
1.1
2004
74
74
0.16
N/A
3.3
N/A
26.8
26.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.3
2003
85
88
0.26
N/A
4.2
N/A
28.9
27.0
N/A
N/A
0.1
1.0
2002
83
88
0.33
N/A
3.9
N/A
27.2
27.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.9
2001
83
85
0.31
N/A
4.2
N/A
25.5
26.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.2
2000
86
78
0.28
N/A
4.7
N/A
27.8
25.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.3
Natural disasters
Type
Austin
Corpus Christi
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
137.9%
68.2%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
80.4%
52%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
29%
24%
Transportation
Austin has more comprehensive public transit with Capital Metro, and is also home to many cyclists. Corpus Christi, with its Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority, offers regular bus services but is more car-dependent due to its expansive geography.
Transport
Type
Austin
Corpus Christi
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
0
FAA registered aircraft
911
298
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
21
1
Means of transportation to work
Type
Austin
Corpus Christi
Bicycle
0.8%
0.2%
Bus
1.5%
1.1%
Carpooled
7.9%
9.9%
Car alone
85.9%
86.5%
Motorcycle
0.3%
0.2%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.1%
Walked
2%
1.4%
Average travel time to work
Type
Austin
Corpus Christi
Average
29.9 min
21.4 min
Other means
22.7 min
20.1 min
Public transportation
37.9 min
37.6 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Austin
Corpus Christi
Average
1.1
1.1
Drove alone
91.2%
90.4%
In 2 person carpool
6.3%
7.6%
In 3 person carpool
1.7%
1.2%
In 4 person carpool
0.6%
0.4%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.1%
0.3%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate in Austin is significantly more expensive than in Corpus Christi due to the city's rapid growth and high demand. Corpus Christi, being a smaller city with less influx, offers more affordable housing options.
Neighborhoods
Austin boasts eclectic neighborhoods catering to a variety of lifestyles, from the trendy East Austin to the upscale Westlake. Corpus Christi features beautiful coastal neighborhoods like Mustang-Padre Island and family-friendly ones like Calallen.
Houses and residents
Type
Austin
Corpus Christi
Houses
469,156
137,431
Average household size (people)
2.4
2.7
Median year apartment built
1997
1984
Median year house/condo built
1988
1981
Length of stay in the house since moving in
12.1 years
13.3 years
Houses occupied
449,399 (95.8%)
117,366 (85.4%)
Houses occupied by owners
196,458 (43.7%)
67,874 (57.8%)
Houses occupied by renters
252,941 (56.3%)
49,492 (42.2%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,286
$1,470
Median monthly housing costs
$1,521
$1,102
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$549,769
$329,579
Estimated median house or condo value
$482,900
$171,500
Median numbers of rooms
4.4
4.9
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.4
4.1
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6
5.6
Median house price - detached houses
$595,996
$212,792
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$393,984
$219,111
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$262,826
$270,664
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$576,111
$270,817
Median house price - mobile homes
$56,102
$33,205
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$459,657
$168,101
Median house price - All housing units
$571,154
$210,115
Median house age
28
40
Renting percentage
54.9%
40.7%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,865.3
888.7
House value disparities
28.4%
37.5%
Household income disparities
44.8%
45%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$141,177
$84,755
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$86,430
$55,283
Housing units without a mortgage
1,799 (1.3%)
190 (0.5%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
6,421 (4.8%)
1,163 (3.1%)
Housing units with a mortgage
132,628 (98.7%)
37,907 (99.5%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
206 (0.2%)
0 (0%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
8,515 (6.3%)
1,292 (3.4%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
9
11
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
0.9%
2.9%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.6%
2.8%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Austin
Corpus Christi
One, detached
43.1%
65.0%
One, attached
5.2%
1.6%
Two
2.4%
3.0%
3 or 4
4.1%
6.5%
5 to 9
7.2%
8.7%
10 to 19
11.0%
5.7%
20 to 49
8.9%
2.3%
50 or more
17.2%
4.1%
Mobile homes
1.0%
2.8%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.0%
0.3%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
38,777
10,817
State government workers
46,229
6,884
Unpaid family workers
102
230
Industries and Occupations
Austin's leading industries include technology, healthcare, and education. In contrast, Corpus Christi is known for its oil industry, port-related jobs, and tourism sector. Both cities offer career opportunities based on these leading industries.
Austin provides excellent healthcare services with renowned hospitals like the Ascension Seton and St. David's healthcare systems. Corpus Christi also offers quality healthcare with hospitals like Driscoll Children's Hospital and CHRISTUS Spohn.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Austin
Corpus Christi
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Austin, being the capital city, features more developed infrastructure with an international airport, modern highways, and numerous hotels. Corpus Christi, though smaller and lesser developed, also has infrastructure catering to its population, complete with a regional airport and substantial highway access.
Infrastructure
Type
Austin
Corpus Christi
Hospitals
65
34
TV stations
20
21
Arenas or stadiums
2
1
Bank branches located here
264
83
Bank institutions located here
43
17
Main business address for public companies
44
1
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
46
1
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Austin
Corpus Christi
1999
4,733
1,534
2000
2,950
814
2001
2,038
738
2002
1,772
631
2003
2,213
737
2004
2,458
1,013
2005
3,121
1,275
2006
3,367
1,217
2007
2,560
942
2008
1,747
546
2009
1,067
413
Culture and Food
Austin offers a vibrant culture scene known for live music and festivals, and a food scene dominated by Tex-Mex and barbecue. Corpus Christi, with its coastal location, offers a more laid-back beach culture and fresh seafood cuisines.
Sports Teams
Austin is home to Austin FC (Major League Soccer) and the Texas Longhorns college teams, whereas Corpus Christi hosts the Corpus Christi Hooks, a double-A minor league baseball team, and the IceRays junior hockey team.
Austin, TX
Corpus Christi, TX
Austin, TX and 
Corpus Christi, TX : 177.9 miles
