salaryRent is lower than in 61% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $57,760 a year. That is $28 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Texas cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Texas. It is number 212 of 426 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Odessa?
Share of households by yearly income. 24.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Odessa
| Size | Odessa | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,172 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,183 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,367 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,705 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,966 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Odessa overall?
Everyday prices in the Odessa metro area are 6% below the U.S. average (index 93.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Odessa
Life in Odessa
What jobs pay in Odessa
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $141,260 | 12.3% |
| Lawyer | $133,340 | 13.0% |
| Physician Assistant | $129,380 | 13.4% |
| Software Developer | $127,080 | 13.6% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,690 | 13.7% |
| Operations Manager | $104,100 | 16.6% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $84,510 | 20.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $81,370 | 21.3% |
| Accountant | $80,260 | 21.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $78,660 | 22.0% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $63,020 | 27.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,490 | 27.7% |
| Plumber | $61,870 | 28.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,580 | 29.6% |
| Truck Driver | $58,370 | 29.7% |
| Electrician | $57,110 | 30.3% |
| Market Research Analyst | $56,330 | 30.8% |
| Carpenter | $52,260 | 33.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $39,600 | 43.8% |
| Customer Service Representative | $39,270 | 44.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $37,820 | 45.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,250 | 47.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $34,900 | 49.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,320 | 57.2% |
| Cashier | $29,000 | 59.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $22,600 | 76.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Odessa?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $104 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $223,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $22,310 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Odessa, TX?
Renting in Odessa costs a median of about $1,444 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Texas median is $1,451.
How much do I need to make to live in Odessa?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $57,760 a year, or $28 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Odessa cheap or expensive?
Odessa is rated OK: rent takes 21.9% of the typical household income of $79,240. It ranks 212th cheapest of 426 Texas cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Odessa?
The median homeowner in Odessa pays $3,093 a year in property taxes, about 1.39% of the median home value.
Is Odessa more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 6% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Odessa?
The median home value in Odessa is $223,100, about 2.8 times the typical yearly household income.
115,322 people live in Odessa. Numbers are typical (middle) values.