Cost of Living: Carlsbad, CA vs Odessa, TX (2026)

Carlsbad

California
253
VS

Odessa

Texas
83

Carlsbad is 170% more expensive than Odessa.

$2,678/mo ↑ 103%
Median Rent
$1,322/mo ↓ 51%
$139,326/yr ↑ 91%
Median Income
$73,030/yr ↓ 48%
$1,156,900 ↑ 456%
Home Value
$208,000 ↓ 82%
$2,801/mo ↑ 124%
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ↓ 55%
114,500
Population
114,080

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

23.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Carlsbad, CA and Odessa, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 253 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,356/month cheaper in Odessa, saving renters about $16,272/year.

Median household income is $66,296/year higher in Carlsbad. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Carlsbad is $1,156,900 compared to $208,000 in Odessa.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Odessa residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Carlsbad vs Odessa — common questions

Is Carlsbad or Odessa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Odessa is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 253 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Carlsbad and Odessa?
Median rent in Carlsbad is $2,678/month and in Odessa it's $1,322/month — a difference of $1,356/month.
Which city has higher income, Carlsbad or Odessa?
Median household income is $139,326 in Carlsbad and $73,030 in Odessa. Median household income is $66,296/year higher in Carlsbad.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Carlsbad or Odessa?
It depends on your priorities. Carlsbad has a cost index of 253 with median rent of $2,678/mo, while Odessa has a cost index of 83 with rent of $1,322/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Carlsbad details → View Odessa details →