Odessa TX vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Odessa
114,080
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Odessa
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Odessa
31.0
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Odessa
6.8%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Odessa
1.9%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Odessa
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 8.0% | Odessa + |
| White | 51.9% | 50.7% | Odessa + |
| Black | 6.8% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 61.2% | 8.6% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Odessa
$35,655
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Odessa
$63,758
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Odessa
18.3%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,030 | $55,931 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,655 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 23.2% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,423 | $293,664 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 39.5% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
442
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
2339
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
39.4%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
12.9%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Odessa
25.4%
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tallahassee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Odessa
18.1%
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tallahassee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Odessa
14.0%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 20.3% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 25.4% | 13.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
65.6°F
Odessa +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 67.6°F | Odessa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.5 in | 58.1 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Odessa
55.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tallahassee + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Odessa
23.7 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
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, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Odessa. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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