Odessa TX vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Odessa
114,080
Odessa +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Odessa
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Orem
33.3
Foreign Born
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
Orem
10.5%
White
Odessa
51.9%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Odessa
6.8%
Odessa +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Odessa
1.9%
Odessa +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Orem
30.6%
Spanish at Home
Odessa
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 86,973 | Odessa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 33.3 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 10.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 51.9% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 6.8% | 1.9% | Odessa + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.6% | Odessa + |
| Hispanic | 61.2% | 30.6% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Orem
$70,053
Per Capita Income
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Odessa
5.5%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Odessa
14.4%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Odessa
18.3%
Orem
25.6%
Orem +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,030 | $70,053 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,655 | $33,579 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $60,713 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 25.6% | Orem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Odessa
59.2%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,423 | $509,396 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
442
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
2339
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
39.4%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
12.9%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Odessa
18.0%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Odessa
25.4%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Odessa
18.1%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Odessa
14.0%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 25.4% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
65.6°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
13.5 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.5 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Odessa
55.0%
Orem
75.0%
Orem +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Orem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.5 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, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Odessa. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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