Odessa TX vs Palmdale CA — 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Odessa
114,080
Odessa +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Odessa
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Odessa
14.5%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Odessa
51.9%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Odessa
6.8%
Odessa +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Odessa
1.9%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Palmdale
24.3%
Spanish at Home
Odessa
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 44,998 | Odessa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 57.8 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 51.9% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 6.8% | 5.4% | Odessa + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 61.2% | 24.3% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Palmdale
$71,979
Per Capita Income
Odessa
$35,655
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Odessa
$63,758
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Odessa
14.4%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Odessa
18.3%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,030 | $71,979 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,655 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.2% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Odessa
59.2%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,423 | $503,393 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
442
Odessa +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
2339
Odessa +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Odessa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Odessa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
39.4%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
12.9%
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Odessa
25.4%
Palmdale
15.7%
Palmdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Odessa
18.1%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Odessa
14.0%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.6% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 25.4% | 15.7% | Palmdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
65.6°F
Palmdale
63.5°F
Palmdale +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
13.5 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 63.5°F | Palmdale + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.5 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Odessa
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
Palmdale
24.1 min
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.1 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, Odessa is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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