Odessa TX vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Odessa
114,080
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Odessa
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Pittsburgh
33.5
Foreign Born
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Odessa
51.9%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Odessa
6.8%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Odessa
1.9%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Odessa
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 33.5 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 9.3% | Odessa + |
| White | 51.9% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 6.8% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 61.2% | 4.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Odessa
$35,655
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Odessa
$63,758
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Odessa
18.3%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,030 | $64,137 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,655 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 19.5% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Odessa
$253,423
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,423 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 47.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
442
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
2339
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
39.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
12.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Odessa
18.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Odessa
25.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Odessa
18.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Odessa
14.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.5 in | 39.3 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Odessa
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 25.0 min | Odessa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh 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 Philadelphia, PA