Odessa TX vs Omaha NE — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Odessa
114,080
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Odessa
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Odessa
51.9%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Odessa
6.8%
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Asian
Odessa
1.9%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Omaha
15.6%
Spanish at Home
Odessa
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 35.3 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 10.9% | Odessa + |
| White | 51.9% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 6.8% | 11.8% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 61.2% | 15.6% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Omaha
$72,708
Per Capita Income
Odessa
$35,655
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Odessa
$63,758
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Odessa
5.5%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Odessa
14.4%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Odessa
18.3%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,030 | $72,708 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,655 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Omaha
$297,017
Homeownership Rate
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
Omaha
57.7%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,423 | $297,017 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 57.7% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
442
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
2339
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
39.4%
Omaha
37.5%
Omaha +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
12.9%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Odessa
18.0%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Odessa
25.4%
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Odessa
18.1%
Odessa +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 37.5% | Omaha + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 25.4% | 12.0% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 20.0% | Odessa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.2% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
65.6°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
Omaha
30.6 in
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.5 in | 30.6 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Odessa
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Odessa
23.7 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
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, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Odessa. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Omaha scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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