Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Odessa
51.9%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 114,080 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 53.6% | 51.9% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 6.8% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 1.9% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Odessa
$35,655
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Odessa
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $35,655 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.5% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 18.3% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Odessa
$253,423
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $253,423 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Odessa
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Odessa
2339
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 442 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2339 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Odessa
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Odessa
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Odessa
14.0%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 25.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Odessa
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Odessa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 23.7 min | Odessa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Odessa. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Odessa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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