Johnson City TN 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)
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
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
Johnson City
71,455
Odessa
114,080
Odessa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Odessa
51.9%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Odessa
6.8%
Odessa +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Johnson City +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 114,080 | Odessa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 84.0% | 51.9% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 6.8% | Odessa + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.9% | Johnson City + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Odessa
$35,655
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $35,655 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 18.3% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $253,423 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Odessa
442
Odessa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Odessa
2339
Odessa +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | Odessa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | Odessa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Odessa
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 39.4% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 25.4% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.1% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.0% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Odessa
13.5 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
Odessa
55.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Odessa
23.7 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 23.7 min | Johnson City + |
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 639 in Johnson City. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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