Moving from Houston, TX to Corpus Christi, TX
Relocating between Houston, TX and Corpus Christi, TX is a 219 mi drive — 4h 27m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
219 mi · 4h 27m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 59, US 77, I 69 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, League City, Pearland, Sugar Land |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Corpus Christi | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 92.671 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 80.991 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 84.905 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.0% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Corpus Christi at 92.671 vs Houston at 98.629.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 6.0% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Corpus Christi -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Houston | Corpus Christi |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 34.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Houston (70.6°F) and Corpus Christi (71.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, PORT ARANSAS 11 SSW, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Corpus Christi |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 317,383 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $66,325 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.69 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 6.0% higher in Corpus Christi than Houston.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Corpus Christi MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 22,840 | $37,700 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 21,400 | $27,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 15,380 | $31,420 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,070 | $37,120 |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 14,050 | $47,300 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
Is Corpus Christi more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Corpus Christi is 6.0% lower than Houston (92.671 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Corpus Christi?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,325 in Corpus Christi vs $62,894 in Houston — a 5.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Corpus Christi compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,570 in the Corpus Christi MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 187,350 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Corpus Christi?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 219 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Corpus Christi, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 219 mi and the route typically takes 4h 27m via US 59 and US 77. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Corpus Christi compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $223,502 in Corpus Christi vs $264,336 in Houston — a 15.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX · Corpus Christi, TX.