El Monte CA 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)
El Monte, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$768,251
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
El Monte
107,066
Odessa
114,080
Odessa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Monte
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
El Monte
38.1
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
El Monte
49.7%
El Monte +
Odessa
14.5%
White
El Monte
13.7%
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Black
El Monte
0.6%
Odessa
6.8%
Odessa +
Asian
El Monte
29.3%
El Monte +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
El Monte
65.1%
El Monte +
Odessa
61.2%
Spanish at Home
El Monte
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | El Monte, CA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 114,080 | Odessa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 14.5% | El Monte + |
| White | 13.7% | 51.9% | Odessa + |
| Black | 0.6% | 6.8% | Odessa + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 1.9% | El Monte + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 61.2% | El Monte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Monte
$64,484
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
El Monte
$24,356
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Monte
$77,230
El Monte +
Odessa
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
El Monte
6.4%
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Poverty Rate
El Monte
17.2%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Monte
14.7%
Odessa
18.3%
Odessa +
| Metric | El Monte, CA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $35,655 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | El Monte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 18.3% | Odessa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Monte
$768,251
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Homeownership Rate
El Monte
40.1%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | El Monte, CA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $768,251 | $253,423 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Monte
503
Odessa
442
Odessa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Monte
2388
Odessa
2339
Odessa +
| Metric | El Monte, CA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Odessa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Odessa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Monte
26.3%
El Monte +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Monte
15.9%
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Monte
17.0%
El Monte +
Odessa
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Monte
18.7%
El Monte +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Monte
12.9%
El Monte +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Monte
13.7%
El Monte +
Odessa
14.0%
| Metric | El Monte, CA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.3% | 39.4% | El Monte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 12.9% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 18.0% | El Monte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 25.4% | El Monte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 18.1% | El Monte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.0% | El Monte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Monte
N/A
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Monte
N/A
Odessa
13.5 in
| Metric | El Monte, CA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Monte
7.9 µg/m³
El Monte +
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Monte
75.0%
El Monte +
Odessa
55.0%
| Metric | El Monte, CA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | El Monte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | El Monte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Monte
31.6 min
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
| Metric | El Monte, CA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 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, Odessa is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in El Monte. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and El Monte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Monte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.3%.
Compare More Cities
El Monte, CA vs New York, NYEl Monte, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs El Monte, CAEl Monte, CA vs Houston, TXEl Monte, CA vs Phoenix, AZEl Monte, CA vs Philadelphia, PA