Odessa TX vs Wilmington NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Odessa
114,080
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Odessa
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Odessa
6.8%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Odessa
1.9%
Wilmington
2.3%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Odessa
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 35.6 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 10.7% | Odessa + |
| White | 51.9% | 48.7% | Odessa + |
| Black | 6.8% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.3% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 61.2% | 17.9% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Odessa
18.3%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,030 | $57,673 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,655 | $35,074 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 17.9% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,423 | $419,326 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 54.6% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
442
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
2339
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
39.4%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
12.9%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Odessa
18.0%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Odessa
25.4%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Odessa
18.1%
Wilmington
17.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Odessa
14.0%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 25.4% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
65.6°F
Wilmington
63.8°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 63.8°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.5 in | 58.4 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Odessa
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Odessa
23.7 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
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 398 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 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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