Newark NJ 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Odessa
14.5%
White
Newark
16.5%
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Odessa
1.9%
Tie
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 114,080 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 14.5% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 51.9% | Odessa + |
| Black | 46.7% | 6.8% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.9% | Tie |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Odessa
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Odessa
18.3%
Odessa +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $35,655 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,758 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 18.3% | Odessa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $253,423 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Odessa
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Odessa
2339
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 442 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2339 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Newark +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 39.4% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.9% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 25.4% | Newark + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.1% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 14.0% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 65.6°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
Odessa
55.0%
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 23.7 min | Odessa + |
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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Odessa. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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