Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Odessa
14.5%
White
Houston
35.5%
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 114,080 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 14.5% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 51.9% | Odessa + |
| Black | 22.9% | 6.8% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 1.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Odessa
$35,655
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Odessa
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $35,655 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 18.3% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $253,423 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Odessa
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Odessa
2339
Tie
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Odessa
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Houston +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Odessa
14.0%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 39.4% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.9% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.0% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 25.4% | Houston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.1% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.0% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Odessa
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 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 442 in Houston. 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, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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