Memphis 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Odessa
1.9%
Odessa +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 114,080 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 25.0% | 51.9% | Odessa + |
| Black | 62.9% | 6.8% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 1.9% | Odessa + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $35,655 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 18.3% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Odessa
$253,423
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $253,423 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Odessa
442
Odessa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Odessa
2339
Odessa +
| Metric | Memphis, 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
Memphis
42.1%
Odessa
39.4%
Odessa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 39.4% | Odessa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.9% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 25.4% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 18.1% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 14.0% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 65.6°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
Odessa
55.0%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Odessa
23.7 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 23.7 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Odessa is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Odessa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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