New Braunfels 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)
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
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
New Braunfels
267
Odessa
114,080
Odessa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Braunfels
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
New Braunfels
39.4
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
New Braunfels
8.2%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Odessa
51.9%
Black
New Braunfels
0.0%
Odessa
6.8%
Odessa +
Asian
New Braunfels
0.0%
Odessa
1.9%
Odessa +
Hispanic
New Braunfels
15.7%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
New Braunfels
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 267 | 114,080 | Odessa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 84.3% | 51.9% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 0.0% | 6.8% | Odessa + |
| Asian | 0.0% | 1.9% | Odessa + |
| Hispanic | 15.7% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Braunfels
$74,643
New Braunfels +
Odessa
$73,030
Per Capita Income
New Braunfels
$21,360
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Braunfels
$63,758
Odessa
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Odessa
5.5%
Poverty Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Odessa
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Braunfels
1.8%
Odessa
18.3%
Odessa +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,643 | $73,030 | New Braunfels + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,360 | $35,655 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 1.8% | 18.3% | Odessa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Braunfels
$352,129
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Homeownership Rate
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
Odessa
59.2%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $352,129 | $253,423 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 90.8% | 59.2% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
442
Odessa
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
2339
Odessa
2339
Tie
| Metric | New Braunfels, 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
New Braunfels
34.6%
New Braunfels +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
10.6%
New Braunfels +
Odessa
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Braunfels
16.0%
New Braunfels +
Odessa
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
15.2%
New Braunfels +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
19.1%
Odessa
18.1%
Odessa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
11.0%
New Braunfels +
Odessa
14.0%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 39.4% | New Braunfels + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.9% | New Braunfels + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.0% | New Braunfels + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 25.4% | New Braunfels + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 18.1% | Odessa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.0% | New Braunfels + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Odessa
65.6°F
Odessa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
34.0 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 65.6°F | Odessa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Braunfels
55.0%
Odessa
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Braunfels, 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
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
Odessa
23.7 min
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.6 min | 23.7 min | New Braunfels + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Braunfels leads in median household income at $74,643, 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 442 in New Braunfels. Odessa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Braunfels scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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