Aurora IL 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)
Aurora, IL
Illinois · Population: 24,510
- Median HH Income$62,462
- Median Home Price$320,635
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+13.2%
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
Aurora
24,510
Odessa
114,080
Odessa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Odessa
51.9%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Odessa
6.8%
Odessa +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Odessa
1.9%
Odessa +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 114,080 | Odessa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 63.2% | 51.9% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 6.8% | Odessa + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.9% | Odessa + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Odessa
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Odessa
18.3%
Odessa +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $35,655 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 18.3% | Odessa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Odessa
59.2%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $253,423 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 59.2% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Odessa
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Odessa
2339
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Odessa
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Odessa
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Aurora +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Aurora +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Odessa
14.0%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 39.4% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.9% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.0% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 25.4% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 18.1% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.0% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 65.6°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Odessa
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Odessa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 23.7 min | Odessa + |
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, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Odessa. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Odessa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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