Abilene TX vs Odessa TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Odessa
51.9%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Abilene +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 114,080 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 66.6% | 51.9% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 6.8% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.9% | Abilene + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Odessa
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Odessa
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Abilene +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $35,655 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.5% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 18.3% | Abilene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Odessa
$253,423
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $253,423 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Odessa
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Odessa
2339
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Odessa
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Abilene +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Abilene +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Odessa
14.0%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 39.4% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.9% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 25.4% | Abilene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.1% | Abilene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.0% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Abilene +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 65.6°F | Abilene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Odessa
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Odessa
23.7 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 23.7 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Odessa is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Odessa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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