Odessa, TX Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Odessa, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Odessa →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Odessa, Texas is home to roughly 113,353 residents. The typical household here earns $71,293 a year — roughly in line with the median we track across cities (-1%).
Anyone weighing a move to Odessa should know the median home value is $193,500, below the multi-city median (-41%), and median rent runs $1,282 per month. Current mortgage rates and local property taxes both affect the real math of buying versus renting.
The ratio of median home value to median household income in Odessa — roughly 2.7× — signals relatively affordable housing relative to local pay. Home prices near Odessa have risen a steady 3.08% over the past year — measured growth, not a spike. Natural-hazard exposure in Odessa is rated Relatively Moderate by FEMA — modest risk that generally keeps insurance premiums more manageable.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $1,282/mo in Odessa would take 21.6% of your income.
$500/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($193,500) would take 17.4% of your income toward principal & interest.
$630/mo under the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Odessa
Median home value is $193,500 and median gross rent is $1,282/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Ector rose 3.08% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,595/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Odessa's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively Moderate. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Odessa reported a violent crime rate of 285.1 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Odessa
Planning a move to Odessa? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Odessa, TX?
- Cost of living in Odessa centers on housing: median home value runs $193,500, median rent runs $1,282/month, and the typical household earns $71,293 a year. Data via the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Odessa?
- A common guideline is that rent should stay under 30% of gross income. With median rent at $1,282/month in Odessa, that implies an income of about $51,280 to keep housing affordable. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Odessa.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Odessa?
- Buying at Odessa's median home value of $193,500 takes about $44,272 a year in principal-and-interest income (20% down, 30-year fixed, current mortgage rates), compared with roughly $51,280 a year to comfortably rent at the median $1,282/month. Down payment and expected length of stay usually settle the question.
- Is Odessa safe?
- The most recent FBI figures (2025) show a violent crime rate of 285.1 per 100,000 residents in Odessa.
See the full salary breakdown for Odessa →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Odessa's.