Odessa TX vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Odessa
114,080
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Odessa
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Odessa
6.8%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Odessa
1.9%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Odessa
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 36.6 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 6.6% | Odessa + |
| White | 51.9% | 45.7% | Odessa + |
| Black | 6.8% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 61.2% | 5.1% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Odessa
$35,655
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Odessa
5.5%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Odessa
18.3%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,030 | $55,279 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,655 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 19.8% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Odessa
$253,423
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,423 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 45.4% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
442
Odessa +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
2339
Odessa +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Odessa, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 501 | Odessa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2418 | Odessa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
39.4%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Odessa
25.4%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Odessa
18.1%
St. Louis
17.9%
St. Louis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.2% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.8% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 25.4% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.9% | St. Louis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.8% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
65.6°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
13.5 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Odessa
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Odessa, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Odessa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Odessa, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.0 min | Odessa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Odessa is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Odessa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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