Corpus Christi, TX vs Arlington, TX
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Corpus Christi, TX and Arlington, TX spend within 6.0% of each other per resident — $12,479 versus $11,769 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Arlington, TX holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 83/100 (grade A) against 70/100 (grade B) for Corpus Christi, TX — a 13-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Arlington, TX carries the lighter load at $594 per resident versus $1,866 for Corpus Christi, TX. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in Corpus Christi, TX at $751 per resident and in Arlington, TX at $1,352.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 13% of total revenue in Corpus Christi, TX and 41% in Arlington, TX.
Summary
Corpus Christi spends 6.0% more per capita than Arlington ($710/person difference). Arlington, TX has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 83/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $373 | $0 |
| Sales Tax | $346 | $507 |
| Income Tax | $1,344 | $73 |
| Intergovernmental | $6,076 | $25,062 |
| Charges & Fees | $5,136 | $2,949 |
| Other | $3,079 | $3,897 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Police | $52 | $0 |
| Fire Protection | $217 | $160 |
| Highways & Roads | $71 | $149 |
| Public Welfare | $672 | $826 |
| Health | $167 | $219 |
| Hospitals | $1,004 | $152 |
| Parks & Recreation | $751 | $1,352 |
| Housing | $2,573 | $2,981 |
| Sewerage | $117 | $141 |
| Utilities | $3,402 | $1,385 |
| Other | $3,452 | $4,404 |
Compare More Cities
Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.