Odessa vs West Odessa: which is better to live in?
Odessa gets D+ overall and West Odessa gets F. Odessa comes out ahead on our index, though keep in mind each is graded against Texas places of its own size.
Odessa wins on jobs and income, schools, errands and things to do, getting around, education levels, health and internet access. West Odessa wins on cost of living and home ownership.
Odessa suits families, young professionals and retirees better, while West Odessa suits people on a budget better.
Side by side
| Odessa | West Odessa | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall grade | D+ | F |
| Population | 122,707 | 32,594 |
| Growth since 2020 | +7.2% | n/a |
| Median rent | $1,315 | $891 |
| Median home value | $223,100 | $126,300 |
| Monthly cost to buy | $1,479 | $802 |
| Median household income | $73,472 | $65,234 |
| Property tax per year | $3,093 | $1,334 |
| Violent crime per 100k | 286 | Not available |
| Property crime per 100k | 1,159 | Not available |
| Schools rated A or B | 42% | 25% |
| Average commute | 22 min | 34 min |
| Work from home | 3.4% | 3.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 19% | 18% |
| Median age | 31.1 years | 33.7 years |
| Days 90°F or hotter | 106 | 125 |
| River flooding risk (FEMA) | Moderate | High |
Bold marks the better value where one is clearly better.
Grades by category
| Odessa | West Odessa | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | B (70) | A+ (100) |
| Jobs and income | D+ (29) | D (22) |
| Schools | D+ (27) | F (6) |
| Safety | C+ (53) | n/a |
| Errands and things to do | C (47) | F (2) |
| Getting around | D+ (30) | F (2) |
| Education levels | D- (9) | F (6) |
| Health | D- (10) | F (5) |
| Home ownership | C+ (51) | B- (58) |
| Internet access | D (16) | F (3) |
Cost of living
West Odessa is the cheaper of the two.
Rent is higher in Odessa: a median of $1,315 a month, 48% higher than West Odessa's $891.
The median home is worth $223,100 in Odessa and $126,300 in West Odessa. With 20% down at today's rates, that is about $1,479 a month against $802, property tax included.
Compared with what locals earn, homes cost 3.0 times income in Odessa and 1.9 times in West Odessa.
Commute and location
Commutes average 22 minutes in Odessa and 34 in West Odessa.
The two are about 8 miles apart, so many people weigh them for the same job.
Safety and schools
We don't have a full year of police data for both cities, so we can't compare crime fairly.
For schools, 42% of Odessa's 41 rated campuses earn an A or B, against 25% of West Odessa's 4.
Common questions
Is Odessa or West Odessa better to live in?
Odessa grades higher overall (D+ vs F). The better choice depends on what you need, so compare the categories above.
Is Odessa cheaper than West Odessa?
No. West Odessa has lower typical rent and home prices.
Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Texas Education Agency 2025, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA. Updated 2026-10-04.