Odessa TX vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Odessa
114,080
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Odessa
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Odessa
14.5%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Odessa
51.9%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Odessa
6.8%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Odessa
1.9%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Phoenix
41.8%
Spanish at Home
Odessa
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 34.8 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 51.9% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 6.8% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 61.2% | 41.8% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Odessa
$73,030
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Odessa
$35,655
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Odessa
5.5%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Odessa
14.4%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Odessa
18.3%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,030 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,655 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,423 | $411,323 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 57.1% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
442
Odessa +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
2339
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Odessa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
39.4%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
12.9%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Odessa
18.0%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Odessa
25.4%
Phoenix
17.3%
Phoenix +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Odessa
18.1%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Odessa
14.0%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 25.4% | 17.3% | Phoenix + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
65.6°F
Odessa +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
13.5 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 72.1°F | Odessa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.5 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Odessa
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 27.7 min | Odessa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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