Odessa TX vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Odessa
114,080
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Odessa
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Odessa
14.5%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Odessa
6.8%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Odessa
1.9%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Odessa
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 35.1 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 51.9% | 36.1% | Odessa + |
| Black | 6.8% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 61.2% | 15.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Odessa
$35,655
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Odessa
$63,758
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Odessa
18.3%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,030 | $60,698 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,655 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.4% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 22.0% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Odessa
$253,423
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,423 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 52.3% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
442
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
2339
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
39.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
12.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Odessa
18.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Odessa
25.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Odessa
18.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Odessa
14.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 25.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
65.6°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.5 in | 48.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Odessa
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Odessa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 34.5 min | Odessa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Odessa. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Odessa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Odessa, TXLos Angeles, CA vs Odessa, TXChicago, IL vs Odessa, TXHouston, TX vs Odessa, TXOdessa, TX vs Phoenix, AZOdessa, TX vs San Antonio, TX