Odessa TX vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Odessa
114,080
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Odessa
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Odessa
51.9%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Odessa
6.8%
Odessa +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Odessa
1.9%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
Odessa
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 34.6 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 13.7% | Odessa + |
| White | 51.9% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 6.8% | 5.0% | Odessa + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 61.2% | 42.7% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Odessa
18.3%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,030 | $54,546 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,655 | $31,152 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.4% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 18.8% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,423 | $324,946 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 51.7% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
442
Odessa +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
2339
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Odessa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
39.4%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
12.9%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Odessa
25.4%
Tucson
15.7%
Tucson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Odessa
18.1%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Odessa
14.0%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.3% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 25.4% | 15.7% | Tucson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
65.6°F
Odessa +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
13.5 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 69.8°F | Odessa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.5 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Odessa
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 23.9 min | Odessa + |
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, Odessa is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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