Odessa TX vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Odessa
114,080
Odessa +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Odessa
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Wichita Falls
33.0
Foreign Born
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Odessa
51.9%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Odessa
6.8%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Odessa
1.9%
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Hispanic
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Odessa
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 102,558 | Odessa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 33.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 7.2% | Odessa + |
| White | 51.9% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 6.8% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 61.2% | 22.4% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Odessa
$63,758
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Odessa
5.5%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Odessa
18.3%
Wichita Falls
25.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,030 | $58,568 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,655 | $31,987 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 17.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 25.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Odessa
$253,423
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,423 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 57.0% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
442
Wichita Falls
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
2339
Wichita Falls
2339
Tie
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
39.4%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
12.9%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Odessa
25.4%
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Wichita Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Odessa
18.1%
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Wichita Falls +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.8% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 25.4% | 16.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.8% | Wichita Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.9% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
65.6°F
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Wichita Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 63.4°F | Wichita Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.5 in | 28.9 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Odessa
55.0%
Wichita Falls
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Odessa
23.7 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Odessa. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Wichita Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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