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

Irvine

California
256
VS

Odessa

Texas
83

Irvine is 208% more expensive than Odessa.

$2,893/mo ↑ 119%
Median Rent
$1,322/mo ↓ 54%
$129,647/yr ↑ 78%
Median Income
$73,030/yr ↓ 44%
$1,115,400 ↑ 436%
Home Value
$208,000 ↓ 81%
$2,904/mo ↑ 132%
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ↓ 57%
308,160
Population
114,080

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Odessa, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,571/month cheaper in Odessa, saving renters about $18,852/year.

Median household income is $56,617/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 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

Irvine vs Odessa — common questions

Is Irvine or Odessa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Odessa is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Odessa?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Odessa it's $1,322/month — a difference of $1,571/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Odessa?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $73,030 in Odessa. Median household income is $56,617/year higher in Irvine.
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 Irvine or Odessa?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/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 Irvine details → View Odessa details →

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