Corpus Christi on a Budget: Your Local Expert's Guide to Affordable Neighborhoods for Renters

Corpus Christi, Texas, is known as the "Sparkling City by the Sea." And believe me, this charming moniker is well-deserved. I'm Tiff, your ApartmentHomeLiving local expert for Corpus Christi and other Texas cities where I've lived, worked, and played.

As one of the most beloved beach vacation spots on the Gulf, Corpus (as the locals call it) boasts more than 100 miles of pristine beaches. I've enjoyed beaches all over the U.S., and the only beaches that are more beautiful than those in Corpus Christi are the ones in Panama City, Florida.

But what about living in Corpus Christi? If you're like us at ApartmentHomeLiving.com, you want to weigh the cost of living against neighborhood amenities. In 2024, Corpus Christi was ranked the sixth most affordable beach town in the U.S. by Realtor.com. But what does that mean specifically? According to the Council for Community and Economic Research (CCER), the cost of living in Corpus is about 11% below the national average.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Corpus Christi, TX

In Corpus, the cost of owning a home or renting is also approximately 22% more affordable. Trust me on this: My family has rented beach cottages and condos in Corpus for decades, and my parents would never come off the cash unless it was affordable!

Spending my summers there for most of my life means my love for this mid-sized city runs deep. Also, my daughter did her first year of college at Corpus Christi's Texas A&M University branch, working, studying, and enjoying the coastal life. An added bonus: My ex-husband lived there for his entire childhood until he was 18, and he introduced me to where locals eat, play, and enjoy living on the Gulf. So suffice to say, I know this city well.

In this guide, I'll relate my personal experience (plus that of my family members!) to share everything I know about living affordably in this coastal gem.

1. Downtown Corpus Christi

The cultural and economic heart of the city offers up everything there is to love about urban coastal lifestyle. Downtown Corpus attracts a diverse demographic that includes young urban professionals, recent college grads, and retirees.

Downtown's housing market is incredibly eclectic, with everything from apartments and modern high-rise condos to Victorian-style homes and cottages. The median home listing price in Downtown is $117,000, and the average rent is about $1,052. Not bad for coastal living.

Major Points of Interest

When you live in a beach town, you don't want to spend all your free time fishing and frolicking in the surf. From the Marina Arts District to the SEA District, you can find festivals, art galleries, sporting events, ballet, theater, and a plethora of live music options.

For art lovers, the Art Center of Corpus Christi features local artists. And speaking of locals, Mirador de la Flor — the Selena Memorial — allows visitors to pay tribute to the beloved Tejano singer. I found the Selena Memorial to be particularly moving when I took my children there a few years ago.

Want to get off the beaten path and check out where locals eat and relax? We love Water Street Oyster Bar for sushi and fresh seafood direct from the Gulf. And it has one of the best happy hour vibes in Corpus. Executive Surf Club and Harrison's Landing are other favorites locals love to eat and chill.

Craving some quiet time in nature without leaving Downtown? My kids and I love birdwatching at the Blucher Park bird sanctuary. And the tranquil Corpus Christi Water Gardens? Total Zen energy.

Transportation

Like most cities in Texas, Corpus doesn't have the most robust public transportation. The Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA) offers bus service via Route 76, also called the Downtown Shuttle.

There's a lot of construction going on in Corpus right now, so you can expect traffic delays in much of the city. With that said, Downtown has a high walkability score. Thanks to the new Harbor Bridge, commuters are having an easier time of it.

• Walk score: 55 / 100
• Transit score: 34 / 100
• Bike score: 46 / 100

Schools

Downtown Corpus is the home of high-rated institutions such as Wynn Seale Metropolitan School, which has a 7/10 rating by GreatSchools. Public schools include:

• Rose Shaw Elementary: 2/10 GreatSchools rating
• Martin Middle (grades 6-8): 3/10 GreatSchools rating
• Mary Grett School (K-12): 1/10 GreatSchools rating

2. Northwest Corpus Christi

Are you looking for a unique rural-suburban paradise? You just may find it in Northwest Corpus Christi. The sprawling countryside is dotted with a wonderfully diverse array of architectural styles. But best of all, this neighborhood is known for being a tranquil spot in a bustling vacation city.

Northwest is a place that many military families call home, with the Naval Air Station located in Kingsville just 45 minutes away. In this neighborhood, you'll find mostly single-family homes.

This neighborhood is all about peace and quiet. If you want to live near the beach without the tourists, Northwest is a good neighborhood to call home.

Major Points of Interest

The Northwest area is prized for its natural attractions. At Hazel Bazemore Park, you'll find more than 77 acres of wetlands and woodlands. Adjacent to the Nueces River, Labonte Park is a great place for family outdoor time like camping and fishing.

You'll need to go into the city for a diverse culinary experience. But don't sleep at the Land and Sea Restaurant, where you can enjoy seafood fresh from the Gulf. Want beer and BBQ? We love Nueces Brewing and Barbecuing, and Julian's BBQ.

Transportation

Because it's more rural than some of the other neighborhoods in Corpus, the walkability score is low for Northwest. However, you do have quick access to major highways and interstates, including I-37 and Texas State Highway 358. If you travel a lot, the Corpus Christi International Airport is just a short drive from Northwest.

• Walk score: 21 / 100
• Transit score: 18 / 100
• Bike score: 33 / 100

Schools

In the Northwest neighborhood, families can take advantage of highly ranked education provided by both public and private schools. For example, Windsor Park G/T has a 10/10 rating by GreatSchools. Public schools include:

• Gibson Elementary School: 3/10 GreatSchools rating
• Tuloso-Midway Intermediate School (grades 3-5): 4/10 Great Schools rating
• Tuloso-Midway High School: 5/10 GreatSchools rating

3. South Side

South Side is one of the more prominent and desirable neighborhoods in the city. Generally, South Side is widely regarded by locals to be a great area to live, and definitely safer than other Corpus neighborhoods. Some describe the community as "down to earth." You'll find a lot of families and seniors here.

Dog lovers who live in the South Side love all the sidewalks. In terms of housing options, you'll find it all here: multi-family residences, single-family homes, townhouses, condos, and more.

Major Points of Interest

Southside is home to Cabaniss Football Stadium and the Corpus Christy Country Club. For relaxation and exploring nature, I especially enjoy going to the South Texas Botanical Garden (something is always blooming in Texas!). Locals also spend time at the Oso Bay Natural Preserve.

You'll find chain restaurants like BJ's Restaurant, but I have a few best-kept secrets to share with you. For nightlife or a chill happy hour, try 1920 Bar or Prime Whiskey Bar. And people living on the Gulf want a break from seafood. That means heading to Hester's Cafe for a lazy weekend brunch, quick weekday lunch, and they keep the coffee coming.

Transportation

In Texas, people mostly get around in cars (or trucks). You'll need a car to effectively navigate around the city from the Southside. One good thing is that the location is strategically located if you have a vehicle, with convenient access to U.S. Route 181 and Padre Island Drive (Texas State Highway 358). In good traffic, you'll have a 15-30 minute commute to downtown.

• Walk score: 48 / 100
• Transit score: 25 / 100
• Bike score: 42 / 100

For travel, the Corpus Christi International Airport is a 15 to 30 minute drive as well. Something good to know: While it's an international airport, Corpus's airport feels like a small-town airport. As a Dallas girl who has walked miles and miles getting from one terminal to another at DFW International Airport, I love a small airport like Corpus.

CCRTA has bus lines in the area. You can also get a shuttle from the airport, the RTA B-Line. Just keep in mind that it requires a 24-hour advance notice.

Schools

At Southside, children have access to some of the most highly rated public schools in Texas. Some of the public schools include:

• Club Estates (K-5): 7/10 GreatSchools rating
• Grand Middle School (grades 6-8): 6/10 GreatSchools rating
• London Middle School: 9/10 GreatSchools rating
• Veterans Memorial High School: 5/10 GreatSchools rating

4. Padre Island

Padre Island is widely considered to be the premium area for beachfront living in Corpus Christi. Residents enjoy having direct beach access, along with the neighborly atmosphere of Mustang-Padre Island. Port Aransas is one of the quaintest little beach towns you'll ever visit. The city is very particular about which chain restaurants they'll let in, so you'll have to take advantage of their excellent local eateries (and believe me, it's no sacrifice!).

Though primarily an owner-occupied neighborhood, Padre Island also has some of the most affordable vacation rentals on the Texas coast. Hint: This is where my family often rented vacation summer homes when I was growing up, so Port Aransas particularly has a special place in my heart. In fact, I took my son and five of his rambunctious friends on a two-week vacation there a few years ago. I rented bikes for the boys, and they were all over town on those bikes. But here's the best part: The two-bedroom apartment we rented via VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner was less than $2,000 per month.

Major Points of Interest

The Padre Island National Seashore and Mustang Island State Park. Enough said. It's the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world, a rare gem. Mustang Island State Park is also nearby, where you can enjoy a varied dining scene, from seafood to some of the best Mexican food you'll ever eat.

And if you live on the island, you'll definitely be hitting up Snoopy's Pier, the quintessential joint for locals with a breezy deck overlooking the water and generous seafood baskets. When you want something besides seafood, check out these local favorites: Black Sheep Bistro and Padre Island Burger Company for casual eats and drinks, and steak at Doc's Seafood & Steaks.

Transportation

Padre Island connects to the mainland via the JFK Causeway. This will get you anywhere you need to go, but I've gotten stuck in some pretty bad traffic when leaving the island, sometimes thanks to what seems to be constant lane closures. In decent traffic, you can get to downtown Corpus in about 45 minutes.

The good news is that the airport is just 8-9 miles away, about 12 minutes by car or 25 minutes if you take a bus or taxi/Uber. So you probably won't need to leave five hours in advance if you're traveling for work or fun. CCRTA has buses serving the area. Another option is Moon's Padre Shuttle.

In addition to the JFK Causeway, you can also get to the island by ferry, operated by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). It runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and it's completely free. Wait times are longer during peak summer vacation season, but honestly, we've never had to wait more than half an hour.

• Walk score: 42 / 100
• Transit score: 40 / 100
• Bike score: 5 / 100 (much higher in Port Aransas)

Schools

Padre Island shines when it comes to education, especially Port Aransas High School. Some of the schools are part of the Corpus Christi school district, but those in Port Aransas are within the Port Aransas ISD.

• Olsen Elementary School: 8 / 10 GreatSchools rating
• Brundrett Middle School: 6 / 10 GreatSchools rating
• Port Aransas High School: 9 / 10 GreatSchools rating

5. Calallen

For a hometown that feels like a tranquil escape from the bustle of urban and tourist areas, you might consider Calallen. About 14,000 people live here, and the demographic is more affluent (47% higher than the U.S. average) than some of the other neighborhoods on my list. Housing is mostly single-family homes, but you'll also find plenty of condos and multi-family places to rent. Locals say Calallen has a small-town vibe.

Major Points of Interest

Outdoor activities at Calallen Lake are a big draw in the area, where you can go fishing, swimming, or boating. Hazel Bazemore Calallen Park is also a great place to spend some time outside. For great eats, locals love Texas Mesquite BBQ & Grill and Railroad Seafood Station.

At the Five Points Shopping Center, you'll find all of the chain stores that are so convenient: Hobby Lobby, Walmart Super Center, Petco, Ross, and more. Beyond the immediate vicinity, locals have easy access to the rest of Corpus Christi. The Padre Island National Seashore, Corpus Christi Museum of Science & History, Whataburger Field, Texas State Aquarium, and more.

Transportation

For the most part, you'll benefit from having a car if you live in Calallen. Fortunately, it's located strategically at the major intersection point of Interstate 37 (I-37) and U.S. Route 77 (US 77), so direct freeway access. U.S. Route 181 also runs parallel to I-37. It will take you about 25 minutes to get to Downtown, and 15-30 minutes to the airport. The Calallen / Robstown NAS Express runs every 45 minutes.

• Walk score: 37 / 100
• Transit score: 18 / 100
• Bike score: 36 / 100

Schools

Calallen has its own school district, Calallen ISD, and it has a rating of "excellent." The high school diploma rate is 98.2%, far above the national average.

Maybe like this:

• Calallen West Intermediate (grades 3-5): 8 / 10 GreatSchools rating
• Calallen Middle School: 6 / 10 GreatSchools rating
• Calallen High School: 6 / 10 GreatSchools rating