Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
34% cheaper
Corpus Christi is 34% more affordable than Columbia. A $75,000 salary in Columbia is equivalent to $49,432 in Corpus Christi.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Maryland salaries · Texas salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Columbia has a housing index of 172 while Corpus Christi sits at 69 (national average = 100). The median home in Columbia costs $430,000 compared to $195,000 in Corpus Christi, a difference of $235,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,900 in Columbia versus $1,100 in Corpus Christi.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Columbia scores 104 while Corpus Christi scores 94.
Healthcare costs in Columbia (101) are higher than Corpus Christi (93). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Columbia is $112,738 compared to $53,238 in Corpus Christi. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Corpus Christi.
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