CostIndexUSA

Chicago, IL vs Corpus Christi, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Chicago
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Corpus Christi
92.7
overall index
$1,425/mo rent

Corpus Christi is moderately cheaper than Chicago — 10.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chicago, you would need $71,600 in Corpus Christi. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing24.2%
Chicago
112
Corpus Christi
84.9
🛒 Groceries12.6%
Chicago
107.3
Corpus Christi
93.8
🚗 Transportation4.2%
Chicago
105.5
Corpus Christi
101.1
🏥 Healthcare4.3%
Chicago
95.5
Corpus Christi
91.4
Utilities3.1%
Chicago
83.6
Corpus Christi
81

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Chicago to see what you'd need to earn in Corpus Christi to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Corpus Christi, TX
$71,600
$8,400 less needed in Corpus Christi

Formula: salary × (92.7 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.8948. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
112
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Corpus Christi, TX

Median Home Price
$217,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,425
Housing Index
84.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.7×

Chicago has 24.2% lower housing costs compared to Corpus Christi.

Income & Job Market

Chicago, IL

Median Household Income
$87,100
Per Capita Income
$49,600
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
2,693,976
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyRetail

Corpus Christi, TX

Median Household Income
$62,500
Per Capita Income
$35,600
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
326,554
Top Industries
EnergyMilitaryHealthcareRetailManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Chicago, IL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Corpus Christi, TX
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.