What Are The 7 Safest Neighborhoods In Corpus Christi, TX?

Paige Hanawalt
by Paige Hanawalt

In the Gulf Coast Capital city of Corpus Christi, there are countless things to see and do. With a low cost of living, beautiful water year-round, and gorgeous waterfront views, it’s no wonder why Corpus Christi is both a permanent and vacation destination. It is home to the Texas State Aquarium, the Padre Island National Seashore, and the U.S.S. Lexington, and countless restaurants and shops to be enjoyed as well.

The top 4 safest places to live in the Corpus Christi, Texas area are Mustang-Padre Island, Portland, Calallen, and South Side. These locations all have lower crime rates than the city, as well as high median household incomes. Crime in Corpus Christi is decreasing year by year, and these four places have low crime rates that make them very safe destinations in the Corpus Christi Bay area.

When traveling to the city, consider these 6 safest neighborhoods in Corpus Christi and their crime rates, costs of living, and income levels.

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7 Safest Neighborhoods in Corpus Christi

The crime rates in Corpus Christi are 70% higher than the national average. Corpus Christi residents experience approximately 1,400 more instances of crime per 100,000 people than the Texas average. However, crime is gradually decreasing in the city. There are several neighborhoods and nearby cities with high income levels, low costs of living, and, most importantly, low crime rates, making them excellent places to live or to just visit for a waterfront vacation.

1. Mustang-Padre Island

  • Population: 4,301
  • Median Income: $95,202
  • Crime Rate Per 100,000 People: 1,696
  • Unemployment Rate: 2.4%

The #1 safest neighborhood in Corpus Christi is Mustang-Padre island. 16.3 miles away from the city center, it is the furthest from Corpus Christi on this list. It is also a great destination for tourists, with plentiful parks and hotels.

The crime rate in Mustang-Padre island is lower than the Corpus Christi, Texas, and national average. This neighborhood is safer than 71% of the cities in Texas.

The median household income in Mustang-Padre island is very high. Additionally, the unemployment rate is lower than average.

Housing, however, comes at a higher cost. The median home value in this neighborhood is $268,500, which is over 40% higher than the U.S average. Rental prices are also above the norm and rest at $1,620.

2. Portland

  • Population: 16,144
  • Median Income: $59,199
  • Crime Rate Per 100,000 People: 1,920
  • Unemployment Rate: 1.4%

Only 7 miles from Corpus Christi City is the much smaller city of Portland. Just on the other side of the Corpus Christi Bay, it is even closer than many of the neighborhoods on this list.

With a population of 16,144, there are only an estimated 1,920 incidents of crime per 100,000 people. In Portland, you have only a 1 in 53 chance of becoming a victim of a crime.

Portland has a higher than average median household income. Its unemployment rate of 1.4% is also exemplary.

Though the median home value in Portland is lower than the U.S average, it is higher than is typically seen in Texas. Rental prices are also rather high at $1,146 on average.

3. Calallen

  • Population: 14,389
  • Median Income: $81,215
  • Crime Rate Per 100,000 People: 2,149
  • Unemployment Rate: 3.1%

Calallen is the second safest neighborhood in Corpus Christi, located 15.5 miles west of the city. The Nueces River wraps around the northern part of the neighborhood. It is in convenient proximity to schools and shopping centers.

Calallen is safer than average across all standards. There are fewer violent and property crimes than the surrounding city, state, and country.

Residents of Calallen enjoy a higher than average income. The median household income in Calallen is $81,215, higher than Corpus Christi City and Texas median incomes.

Perhaps surprisingly, this has not resulted in a high cost of living. Though home value is higher than the Texas average, the cost to buy a home and to rent are lower than U.S averages at $147,370 and $792, respectively.

4. South Side

  • Population: 110,569
  • Median Income: $67,797
  • Crime Rate Per 100,000 People: 2,988
  • Unemployment Rate: 3.3%

The neighborhood of South Side is just over 9 miles to the south of Corpus Christi. It is close to several public schools and other amenities. South Side is the largest neighborhood in Corpus Christi with a lower crime rate than the city.

South Side has lower instances of both violent and property crimes than Corpus Christi, making it safer all around. You have a 1 in 34 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. South Side is an attractive neighborhood from an economic perspective. The median household income is higher than Corpus Christi and Texas averages, and the unemployment rate is on par.

The median home value is lower than the U.S average at $141,375. Rental costs, however, are relatively high at $1,113.

5. Bay Area

  • Population: 41,486
  • Median Income: $59,321
  • Crime Rate Per 100,000 People: 3,522
  • Unemployment Rate: 5.2%

The fourth safest place to live in Corpus Christi is the Bay Area neighborhood. Located along the Corpus Christi Bay, it hosts an abundance of parks and other natural attractions.

Bay Area is the closest neighborhood to Corpus Christi that has a lower crime rate than the city. With an estimated 3,522 instances of crime per 100,000 people, this neighborhood is safer than 50% of the cities in Texas.

The unemployment rate in Bay Area is slightly high, though the median household income for the area is higher than the surrounding city, state, and country.

Home value in Bay Area is higher than the Texas average at $156,497, though lower than the U.S average. Typical rental costs of $884 also fall below this baseline.

6. Northwest

  • Population: 15,307
  • Median Income: $55,925
  • Crime Rate Per 100,000 People: 2,965
  • Unemployment Rate: 2.4%

9 miles to the west of Corpus Christi is Northwest, the #5 safest neighborhood in the city. It is very close to the Corpus Christi International Airport and several hotels.

The Northwest neighborhood has a lower crime rate than Bay Area. However, violent crime is slightly more common. Violent crime occurs 626 times per 100,000 people, which is still only a .6% chance.

Residents of Northwest typically earn an income on par with the U.S. The MHI for this neighborhood is $55,925, just higher than the state and U.S averages.

The cost of living in the Northwest neighborhood is low. The median home value for the area is $109,500, lower than both the Texas and U.S average. Rental costs are also low at $596.

7. Flour Bluff

  • Population: 17,800
  • Median Income: $53,749
  • Crime Rate Per 100,000 People: 4,248
  • Unemployment Rate: 1.8%

The #6 safest place to live in Corpus Christi is the neighborhood of Flour Bluff, located 11.8 miles away from the city. It is just by Oso Bay and the Waldron Naval Air Field.

The Flour Bluff crime rate is about equal to the Corpus Christi average. However, violent crimes are less likely than within the city itself. Those in Flour Bluff have a .6% chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime.

Average income in Flour Bluff is slightly lower than average in Texas, and the unemployment rate in the area is a very low 1.8%.

The median home value is $125,100, lower than the Texas and U.S average. The median rent price of $843 is also lower than the regional baseline.

Crime in Corpus Christi, Texas

Crime in Corpus Christi is not concentrated in any one region of the city. It is rather evenly spread out throughout the area, though more instances of crime occur closer to the city center. The neighborhoods to the immediate north and west of the city are also more dangerous.

The neighborhoods listed above have lower crime rates than are seen in Corpus Christi City. However, as crime is so evenly scattered, some of the immediate areas pose a greater threat. If you’re looking to relocate permanently or just to visit, being informed of these risks is important to staying safe.

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Summing It Up

These 6 neighborhoods are the safest places to live in Corpus Christi Texas. Most have lower crime than the city all around, and all have lower instances of violent crime. Many also have high incomes and low costs of living. Crime in Corpus Christi has decreased by 4% in recent years. If you’re planning on coming down to the Gulf Coast Capital, any of these neighborhoods are a great choice when looking for a safer area to visit.

Paige Hanawalt
Paige Hanawalt

Paige is an elementary school librarian with a passion for writing. Her hobbies include reading an exorbitant amount of fantasy, slowly teaching herself to draw, and home decor. While she isn't the most talented artist or interior designer, what she lacks in skill she more than makes up for in enthusiasm. When she's not curled up with a book, you can certainly find her curled over the keyboard.

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