In the Coastal Bend region, including Corpus Christi, standard spec residential builds in 2025 typically range from moderate to high per‑square‑foot costs, with bespoke or hurricane‑ready designs commanding significantly higher rates. These figures reflect regional material and labor pressures and serve as a guide for preliminary budgeting before consulting detailed cost tables.
For commercial construction across Texas, cost per square foot varies by building type—retail, office, industrial, healthcare, multifamily, and hospitality—with each category showing upward trends in 2025 compared to 2024. These trends are driven by finish quality, code requirements, and sector‑specific demands.
Construction and extraction occupations in Corpus Christi averaged hourly wages in the mid‑$20s in 2024, with supervisors and specialized trades earning higher rates. Labor shortages and competition between residential and commercial sectors are pushing wage growth upward through 2025.
Equipment rental costs are rising, though the year‑over‑year increase in 2025 is more moderate than in 2024. Expect equipment hire to contribute a growing share of project budgets.
Corpus Christi’s construction sector is buoyed by significant public and private investment. In fiscal year 2025, the city’s Engineering Services Department managed over $400 million in work‑in‑place and secured more than $650 million in new contracts, signaling robust infrastructure activity. Major projects like the new Harbor Bridge, which opened in June 2025, and a $2.9 billion LNG expansion are driving demand for labor, materials, and equipment.
