Lubbock 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)
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
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
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Odessa
31.0
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Odessa
51.9%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 114,080 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 31.0 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 64.6% | 51.9% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 6.8% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.9% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Odessa
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Odessa
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $35,655 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.5% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 18.3% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Odessa
$253,423
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $253,423 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Odessa
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Odessa
2339
Tie
| Metric | Lubbock, 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
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Odessa
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Lubbock +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Lubbock +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
Odessa
14.0%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 39.4% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.9% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 25.4% | Lubbock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 18.1% | Lubbock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Odessa
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lubbock, 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
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Odessa
23.7 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 23.7 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Odessa is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Odessa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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