Odessa TX vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Odessa
114,080
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Odessa
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Rochester
33.5
Foreign Born
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Odessa
6.8%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Odessa
1.9%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Odessa
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 33.5 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 8.3% | Odessa + |
| White | 51.9% | 41.5% | Odessa + |
| Black | 6.8% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 61.2% | 20.0% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Odessa
$63,758
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Odessa
18.3%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,030 | $46,628 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,655 | $30,451 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.9% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 26.6% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Odessa
$253,423
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,423 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 37.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
442
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
2339
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
39.4%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Odessa
25.4%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Odessa
18.1%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.3% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.8% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 25.4% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.6% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
65.6°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.5 in | 34.3 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Odessa
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Odessa
23.7 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Odessa. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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