Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Odessa
14.5%
White
Durham
44.0%
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 114,080 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 14.5% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 51.9% | Odessa + |
| Black | 34.4% | 6.8% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 1.9% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Odessa
$73,030
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Odessa
$35,655
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Odessa
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Odessa
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $73,030 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $35,655 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.5% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 14.4% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 18.3% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $253,423 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Odessa
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Odessa
2339
| Metric | Durham, NC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Odessa
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Odessa
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Odessa
14.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 39.4% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.9% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.0% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 25.4% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.1% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.0% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 65.6°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
Odessa
55.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 23.7 min | Odessa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while odessa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,423. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Odessa. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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