Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Odessa
31.0
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Odessa
51.9%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 114,080 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 31.0 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 57.6% | 51.9% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 6.8% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 1.9% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Odessa
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $35,655 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.5% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 18.3% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $253,423 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Odessa
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Odessa
2339
| Metric | Athens, GA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Odessa
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Odessa
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Odessa
14.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 25.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 65.6°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Odessa
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Odessa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Odessa
23.7 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 23.7 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while odessa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,423. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Odessa. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Odessa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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