Flint 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Odessa
114,080
Odessa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Flint
34.4%
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Odessa
1.9%
Odessa +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 114,080 | Odessa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 34.4% | 51.9% | Odessa + |
| Black | 56.6% | 6.8% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 1.9% | Odessa + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Odessa
18.3%
Odessa +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $35,655 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 18.3% | Odessa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Odessa
$253,423
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $253,423 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Odessa
442
Odessa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Odessa
2339
| Metric | Flint, MI | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Odessa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Odessa
39.4%
Odessa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 39.4% | Odessa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 12.9% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 25.4% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 18.1% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 14.0% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 65.6°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Odessa
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 23.7 min | Odessa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Odessa is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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