Odessa TX vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Odessa
114,080
Odessa +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Odessa
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Odessa
31.0
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Odessa
6.8%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Odessa
1.9%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Odessa
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 107,699 | Odessa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 4.7% | Odessa + |
| White | 51.9% | 49.6% | Odessa + |
| Black | 6.8% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 61.2% | 5.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Odessa
18.3%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,030 | $48,536 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,655 | $31,324 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.0% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 23.8% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Odessa
$253,423
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,423 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 45.1% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
442
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
2339
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
39.4%
Odessa +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
12.9%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Odessa
25.4%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Odessa
18.1%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 42.6% | Odessa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 21.3% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 25.4% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.7% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
65.6°F
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Tuscaloosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 65.0°F | Tuscaloosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.5 in | 55.0 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Odessa
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Odessa
23.7 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Odessa. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Odessa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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