Median rent is 5% lower in Temple ($1,231/mo vs $1,292/mo). Buying is cheaper in Corpus Christi, where the median home runs $210,400 versus $239,000. Households earn more in Temple ($68,204 vs $67,394 a year). Taken together, Temple is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.5 against 91.7 — about 0% lower overall prices.
City A
Corpus Christi, TX
City B
Temple, TX
How much would you need to earn in Temple, TX to maintain your standard of living from Corpus Christi, TX?
Equivalent salary in Temple, TX
$74,796
You could earn $204 less (0% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Corpus Christi
Texas
Temple
Texas
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,292/mo in Corpus Christi and $1,231/mo in Temple. Median home values are within 12% of each other: $210,400 in Corpus Christi and $239,000 in Temple.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Corpus Christi
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Temple
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Corpus Christi (avg AQI 68.0) but not yet for Temple.
Is Corpus Christi cheaper than Temple?
Temple is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.5 versus 91.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Temple.
How much is rent in Corpus Christi vs Temple?
Median rent is $1,292/mo in Corpus Christi, TX and $1,231/mo in Temple, TX. Temple, TX has the lower rent by about 5%.
Which has higher salaries — Corpus Christi or Temple?
Median household income is $67,394 in Corpus Christi, TX and $68,204 in Temple, TX. Temple, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Corpus Christi or Temple?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Temple to match my Corpus Christi income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Corpus Christi, TX is equivalent to roughly $99,729 in Temple, TX (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
