Odessa TX vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Odessa
114,080
Odessa +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Odessa
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Odessa
51.9%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Odessa
6.8%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Odessa
1.9%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Odessa
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 98,677 | Odessa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 38.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 7.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 51.9% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 6.8% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 61.2% | 8.6% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Odessa
$63,758
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Odessa
18.3%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,030 | $52,671 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,655 | $34,792 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 19.7% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,423 | $279,668 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 51.7% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
442
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
2339
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
39.4%
Odessa +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Odessa
25.4%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Odessa
18.1%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 41.9% | Odessa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.9% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.4% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 25.4% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.7% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
65.6°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.5 in | 44.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Odessa
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Odessa
23.7 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
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, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Odessa. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Odessa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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