Dallas 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Odessa
14.5%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 114,080 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 14.5% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 51.9% | Odessa + |
| Black | 23.7% | 6.8% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.9% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Odessa
$35,655
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Odessa
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Odessa
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $35,655 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.5% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 18.3% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $253,423 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Odessa
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Odessa
2339
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, 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
Dallas
36.8%
Dallas +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Odessa
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Odessa
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Dallas +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Dallas +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
Odessa
14.0%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 39.4% | Dallas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.9% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.0% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 25.4% | Dallas + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 18.1% | Dallas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.0% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Odessa
65.6°F
Odessa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 65.6°F | Odessa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Odessa
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, 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
Dallas
28.3 min
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 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, Odessa is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Odessa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dallas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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