Odessa TX vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Odessa
114,080
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Odessa
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Odessa
51.9%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Odessa
6.8%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Odessa
1.9%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Odessa
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 35.5 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 11.9% | Odessa + |
| White | 51.9% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 6.8% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 61.2% | 19.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Odessa
$35,655
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Odessa
18.3%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,030 | $58,407 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,655 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,929 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.1% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 18.6% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Odessa
$253,423
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,423 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 52.0% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
442
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
2339
Odessa +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2375 | Odessa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
39.4%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
12.9%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Odessa
25.4%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Odessa
18.1%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.8% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 25.4% | 14.4% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.3% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
65.6°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.5 in | 41.0 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Odessa
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Odessa
23.7 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Odessa. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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