Downey vs Odessa: Cost of Living (2026)

A side-by-side comparison of Downey, CA and Odessa, TX, using US Census Bureau data.

MetricDowney, CAOdessa, TX
Population113,052113,353
Median household income$84,236$71,293
Median home value$679,000$193,500
Median rent (/mo)$1,814$1,282

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.

Comparing Downey, CA and Odessa, TX comes down to what you value most. Odessa has the lower median home value, and Odessa has the lower median rent.

Downey has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to live in Downey or Odessa?
By median home value, Odessa is the cheaper of the two ($193,500 vs $679,000). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
Which has higher salaries, Downey or Odessa?
Median household income is $84,236 in Downey versus $71,293 in Odessa, per the US Census Bureau.

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