Odessa TX vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Odessa
114,080
Odessa +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Odessa
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Odessa
6.8%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Odessa
1.9%
Odessa +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Odessa
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 71,124 | Odessa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 37.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 8.3% | Odessa + |
| White | 51.9% | 32.4% | Odessa + |
| Black | 6.8% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.6% | Odessa + |
| Hispanic | 61.2% | 11.8% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Odessa
$35,655
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Odessa
$63,758
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Odessa
18.3%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,030 | $55,269 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,655 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.6% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 23.2% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,423 | $327,117 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 46.0% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
442
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
2339
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
39.4%
Odessa +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Odessa
25.4%
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Odessa
18.1%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 41.0% | Odessa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.0% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.4% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 25.4% | 12.7% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.4% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
65.6°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.5 in | 49.3 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Odessa
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 25.0 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, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Odessa. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Wilmington 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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