Odessa TX vs San Jose 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%
San Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Odessa
114,080
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Odessa
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Odessa
14.5%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Odessa
6.8%
Odessa +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Odessa
1.9%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
San Jose
30.9%
Spanish at Home
Odessa
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 38.1 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 51.9% | 29.0% | Odessa + |
| Black | 6.8% | 2.9% | Odessa + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 61.2% | 30.9% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Odessa
$73,030
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Odessa
$35,655
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Odessa
$63,758
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Odessa
5.5%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Odessa
14.4%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Odessa
18.3%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,030 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,655 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
San Jose
56.0%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,423 | $1,452,609 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 56.0% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
442
Odessa +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
2339
Odessa +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Odessa, TX | San Jose, 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%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
12.9%
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Odessa
18.0%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Odessa
25.4%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Odessa
18.1%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Odessa
14.0%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.1% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 25.4% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
65.6°F
San Jose
61.5°F
San Jose +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
San Jose
14.9 in
| Metric | Odessa, TX | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 61.5°F | San Jose + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.5 in | 14.9 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Odessa
55.0%
San Jose
75.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Jose + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Odessa, TX | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 30.4 min | Odessa + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 San Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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