El Paso 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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 Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Odessa
14.5%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Odessa
6.8%
Odessa +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Odessa
1.9%
Odessa +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Odessa
61.2%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 114,080 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 14.5% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 51.9% | Odessa + |
| Black | 3.6% | 6.8% | Odessa + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.9% | Odessa + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 61.2% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Odessa
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
El Paso +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $35,655 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 18.3% | El Paso + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Odessa
$253,423
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Odessa
59.2%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $253,423 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 59.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Odessa
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Odessa
2339
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Odessa
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Odessa
25.4%
Odessa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Odessa
14.0%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 39.4% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.9% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.0% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 25.4% | Odessa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.1% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.0% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
El Paso +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Odessa
13.5 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 65.6°F | El Paso + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 13.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Odessa
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
25.1 min
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 23.7 min | Odessa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Odessa is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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