Fort Worth 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)
Fort Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
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
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Fort Worth +
Odessa
14.5%
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Fort Worth +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 114,080 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 14.5% | Fort Worth + |
| White | 47.7% | 51.9% | Odessa + |
| Black | 19.5% | 6.8% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 1.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Fort Worth +
Odessa
$73,030
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Fort Worth +
Odessa
$35,655
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Odessa
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Odessa
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Odessa
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Fort Worth +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | $73,030 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | $35,655 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.5% | Fort Worth + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 14.4% | Fort Worth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 18.3% | Fort Worth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $253,423 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Odessa
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Odessa
2339
Tie
| Metric | Fort Worth, 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
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Fort Worth +
Odessa
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Fort Worth +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Fort Worth +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Fort Worth +
Odessa
14.0%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 39.4% | Fort Worth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 25.4% | Fort Worth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 18.1% | Fort Worth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.0% | Fort Worth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Odessa
65.6°F
Odessa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.8°F | 65.6°F | Odessa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Odessa
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Worth, 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
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 23.7 min | Odessa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Worth leads in median household income at $76,602, 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 442 in Fort Worth. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Odessa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Worth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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