Firstly why Odessa, Texas?
I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:
- City: Odessa
- State: Texas
- Population: 123,799 people
- Odessa’s quick summary would be Famous for its oil industry history and the annual West Texas Fair & Rodeo.
Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:
- How many people move-in: 6,000 annually
- While this many move-out: 6,000 annually
- Net Migration: 0 no real change annual change
- Non-Citizen Move-in: 200
- Number of Homeless people: 200
You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it known for its oil industry attracts professionals and families
Perk #1: Odessa Demographic Mix & Lifestyle
- The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 31%
- Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 67%
- Largest Local Ethnic Group is Hispanic
- The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
- The median income is (and growing) $39,000
- Income Required to Live Comfortably in Odessa is $39,000
- Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $0 neutral cash flow
This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?
Perk #2: Housing & Odessa’s Cost of Living
- Cost of Living Index: 75 (100 is the US average)
- Annual Property Tax Per House: $2,200
- Property Tax %: 1.1%
- Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $900
- Rent for an average house: $1,400
- Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Odessa
- Top 5 Growing Areas: Odessa, Midland, West-Odessa, Goldsmith, and probably could include Gardendale
- Avg. Age of Homes in Odessa: 32 years
- The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1%
If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.
Perk #3: Job Market & Odessa’s Economy
- 3 Industries gaining traction in Odessa are Energy, Manufacturing, and Agriculture
- Odessa Job Scene: healthy job market focused on energy and manufacturing
- The General Tech Scene: limited tech presence focused primarily on local industry and services , ,
- Odessa Resident’s pay $800 in City Tax alone!
- Local Sales Tax in Odessa: 8.25%
- No. of Independent Businesses: 50 (excluding chains and corporates)
- Number of Local Branch Banks: 6
Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.
Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Odessa
- Monthly Transportation Costs: $85 on average per person
- Freeway Access: I-20 runs through Odessa connecting it to the larger region
- Commute Time: 19 minutes (public & private)
- Main Evening Traffic Area: heavy traffic on Highway 385
- Transportation Score: 32 out of 100 described as Some Transit
- No. of Vehicles Registered in Odessa: 25,000
- Cars registered per Person: 0.2
- No. of Car Washes: 4 in and around the city
- DMV Website for Odessa: txdmv.gov
- The Bike-Friendly Score: 60 of 100
- Local Airport: Odessa-Schlemeyer Field
Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.
Perk #5: Odessa’s Weather & Natural Factors
- The Most Common Natural Disaster is Tornadoes
- General Weather in Odessa is best described as hot summers mild winters low humidity year-round
- Winter Weather in Odessa i’d describe as cool with some rain
- Spring Weather in Odessa can be described as warm and dry
- Summer’s in Odessa are mostly hot and dry
- Fall ( the nicest time) in Odessa is usually warm and dry
- How many days in a row over 90°F: 94 days in summer
- Days in a row in Odessa below Freezing: 0
- Average Annual Rainfall: 16 inches
- Summer Air Quality is usually good air quality maintained through local regulations
- Odessa Winter Air average air quality influenced by local industry
Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.
Perk #6: Odessa Education & Schools
- The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
- Number of Colleges and Universities in Odessa 2
- While the number of trade schools inside Odessas’s city limits are 1
- Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Odessa Public Library
If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.
Perk #7: Healthcare & Odessa Stats
- Typical EMS Response Time: 11 minutes
- Registered Full-Time Odessa only Doctors is about 20
- Local Hospitals here is 1
- Full-time Odessa only Police Officers is about 90
- Crime Rate Index: 40/100
Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.
Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality
- Odessa’s Monthly utility bill average is $85
- Odessa’s Monthly Gym Membership: $38
- Odessa’s Water Quality Score: 66
Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.
Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Odessa
- Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 3 annually
- The General Local City Vibe: oil town with a mixed community feel and local activities
- You might enjoy concerts at the Ector County Coliseum
- Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Odessa features casual bars and restaurants perfect for a cozy atmosphere focused on relaxation after work
If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.
Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Odessa
- The Objective Restaurant Scene Features local diners and chain restaurants
- The Number of Independent Restaurants are 15 scattered around Odessa
- The Popular Sports Team is Odessa Jackalopes
- Top Level Political Climate in Odessa can be described as conservative community with a focus on local industry
- Odessa’s Longer standing religious establishment is Odessa First Baptist Church
Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.
Perk #11: Odessa Parks & Green Spaces
- Did you know Odessa has 15 Parks?
- Odessa Parks is Odessa’s Green Space Center
- The local favorite Farmers Market is Odessa Farmers Market normally open Saturday 7am-12pm
- Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, picnicking, and parks
Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.
Perk #12: Odessa Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity
- The Pace of Life in Odessa can be described as active urban pace driven by oil and industry
- 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Odessa exploring parks community picnics attending local fairs
- The Cities people commute to from Odessa are Longview 20 miles away Jacksonville 23 miles away Lindale 10 miles away
Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.
8 Drawbacks about Odessa or are they?
No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.
- Traffic/Commute Issues
Maybe you read: heavy traffic on Highway 385. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts. - Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
Odessa’s Tornadoes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up. - Pricey Neighborhoods
If Odessa is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Odessa are Longview 20 miles away Jacksonville 23 miles away Lindale 10 miles away. - Crime Rate Concerns
With a 40 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this. - Harsh Climate Contrasts
Odessa has 0 days in a row below freezing and 94 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it. - Limited Extra Funds
After general costs of living here in Odessa people have an average (positive or negative) $0 neutral cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here. - Homelessness or Social Challenges
200 homeless people living in Odessa. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions. - Cultural/Political Mismatch
The general conservative community with a focus on local industry could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Odessa.
Retiree & Senior Life in Odessa
- Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can might qualify for exemptions focused on property tax reductions
- The most established Senior Citizen Community is The Heritage
- Odessa Senior Center provides diverse programs fitness classes and health resources for seniors
If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.
Moving to Odessa, Texas?
If Odessa, Texas ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help
As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.
A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Odessa, Texas, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!