Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Odessa
1.9%
Odessa +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 114,080 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 11.7% | 51.9% | Odessa + |
| Black | 76.8% | 6.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.9% | Odessa + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Odessa
18.3%
Odessa +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $35,655 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 18.3% | Odessa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Odessa
$253,423
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $253,423 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Odessa
442
Odessa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Odessa
2339
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Odessa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Odessa
39.4%
Odessa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 39.4% | Odessa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.9% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 25.4% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 18.1% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 14.0% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 65.6°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Odessa
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Odessa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 23.7 min | Odessa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Odessa is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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, Odessa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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