Huntsville AL 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)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
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
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Odessa
51.9%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Huntsville +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 114,080 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 58.4% | 51.9% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 6.8% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.9% | Huntsville + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Odessa
$35,655
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Odessa
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Odessa
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $35,655 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.5% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 14.4% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 18.3% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $253,423 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Odessa
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Odessa
2339
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 442 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2339 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Odessa
39.4%
Odessa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Odessa
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Odessa
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Odessa
14.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 39.4% | Odessa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.9% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.0% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 25.4% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.1% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.0% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 65.6°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
Odessa
55.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Odessa
23.7 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 23.7 min | Huntsville + |
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, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Odessa. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Odessa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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