Odessa TX vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Odessa
114,080
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Odessa
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Riverside
33.1
Foreign Born
Odessa
14.5%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Odessa
6.8%
Odessa +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Odessa
1.9%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Riverside
54.6%
Spanish at Home
Odessa
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 33.1 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 51.9% | 39.2% | Odessa + |
| Black | 6.8% | 6.0% | Odessa + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 61.2% | 54.6% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Odessa
$73,030
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Odessa
$63,758
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Odessa
14.4%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Odessa
18.3%
Riverside
25.7%
Riverside +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,030 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,655 | $33,716 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.0% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 25.7% | Riverside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,423 | $648,603 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 56.3% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
442
Odessa +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
2339
Odessa +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Riverside, 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%
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
12.9%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Odessa
25.4%
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Odessa
18.1%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Odessa
14.0%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 36.7% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.5% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 25.4% | 13.6% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
65.6°F
Odessa +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
13.5 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 66.8°F | Odessa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.5 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Odessa
55.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 34.1 min | Odessa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, 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 Riverside. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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