Corpus Christi, TX Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Corpus Christi, TX: What You Need to Know

Corpus Christi is known as the Texas Riviera for a good reason. The city has beautiful Gulf Coast beaches stretching over 113 miles.

Local History

In 1519, Spanish explorer Alonso Álvarez de Pineda discovered a bay on the southern coast of Texas on the feast day of Corpus Christi, meaning “body of Christ” in Latin. He named the bay after the feast. The city itself was founded by Col. Henry Lawrence Kinney and William P. Aubrey in 1839. It was originally known as Kinney's Trading Post or Kinney's Ranch. The name was changed to Corpus Christi upon the city’s incorporation in September 1852. 

Things to Do in Town

The area offers plenty of beach destinations, from the quiet South Packery Jetty Beach, perfect for fishing, to the coastlines of Mustang Island and Padre Island. Mustang Island State Park is one of the few remaining breeding grounds for Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. It’s also a birder’s paradise with more than 400 species of birds. The Padre Island National Seashore is the world’s largest undeveloped barrier island, with over 130,000 acres of dunes, grasslands, and beaches. It’s great for hiking, bird watching, and off-roading on the beach.

Cost of Living

If you want to live in an affordable midsize coastal city, Corpus Christi (population: 326,586) might just fit the bill. Its cost of living is 13.5% lower than the national average. Food and housing costs are also reasonable – 5.8% and 21.5% lower than the national average, respectively. The median gross rent in Corpus Christi is $996 while the median rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,240. New to Texas? Lucky you! The state doesn’t collect income taxes. Its sales tax rate ranges from 6.25% to 8.25%.

Know Your Neighborhoods

Downtown Corpus Christi offers a range of housing options, from historic buildings and affordable lofts to new apartments and upscale condos. Residents love the walkable streets, weekly farmers’ markets, and pet-friendly parks. Be forewarned that this coastal city is so windy it could give Chicago a run for its money. Families who prefer suburbs with great schools should check out Portland and Gregory. They’re both quiet bedroom communities. For entertainment, Corpus Christi is only a short drive. 

Weather and Climate

Corpus Christi gets 33 inches of rain per year, slightly lower than the U.S. average of 38 inches, and no snow at all. The Texas coast typically experiences hurricanes and tropical storms from August through September. Hurricane Celia was the worst storm to hit Corpus Christi.