Cost of Living in Odessa, TX

Population 114,080 · Texas · Data vintage 2023

81
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Buyers in Odessa can reasonably expect a home to cost less than three years of household income — $208,000 against $73,030 in typical earnings — a ratio that has collapsed to 5:1 or worse in much of the country.

Cost Overview

Housing 68
Rent 101

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Odessa

The median home value in Odessa is $208,000 — 32% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,322/month, 1% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $73,030/year is 2% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.5%, above the national average of 4.8%. Texas charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 77.8°F and lows of 51.8°F. Overall, Odessa has a cost of living index of 81 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 19% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$208,000
32% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$248,410
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,322/mo
1% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,611/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.1x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$766
1 BR
$811
2 BR
$981
3 BR
$1,307
4 BR
$1,509
Owner-occupied 59.2%
Renter-occupied 40.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,322
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,936/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
23.9 min
11% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
3.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
83.2%
Carpooled
11.0%
Public transit
0.2%
Walked
1.0%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
3.1%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 8.2%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 1.9%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$73,030
2% below avg
Per Capita Income
$35,655
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
14% above avg
Poverty Rate
14.4%
Labor Force Participation
69.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 12.6%
Graduate degree 5.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 31
Male median age 30.5
Female median age 31.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
77.8°F
Avg Low
51.8°F
Annual Precip
12.9"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 586371808895959487786758
Low °F 323543516169727163534032
Precip" 0.610.570.730.651.621.271.531.481.941.250.720.56

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 33 — Good
80.3%
Good air days/yr
84
Max AQI recorded
355
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Odessa, TX?

Odessa has a cost index of 81 (100 = national average). It is 19% below the national average.

What is average rent in Odessa, TX?

The median gross rent in Odessa is $1,322 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Odessa?

The median home value in Odessa is $208,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Odessa?

The median household income in Odessa is $73,030 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Odessa, TX?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Odessa is 8.2%. Texas has no state income tax.

Is Odessa, TX affordable?

Yes, Odessa is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 81 — about 19% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Odessa?

Odessa has average high temperatures of 77.8°F and average lows of 51.8°F. Annual precipitation is 12.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Odessa at a Glance

Population
114,080
Median Income
$73,030
Home Value
$208,000
Median Rent
$1,322/mo
Unemployment
5.5%
Avg High Temp
77.8°F
Sales Tax
8.2%
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