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

Oakland

California
195
VS

Odessa

Texas
83

Oakland is 135% more expensive than Odessa.

$1,917/mo ↑ 45%
Median Rent
$1,322/mo ↓ 31%
$97,369/yr ↑ 33%
Median Income
$73,030/yr ↓ 25%
$924,700 ↑ 345%
Home Value
$208,000 ↓ 78%
$2,164/mo ↑ 73%
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ↓ 42%
438,072
Population
114,080

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

23.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Oakland, CA and Odessa, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 195 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $595/month cheaper in Odessa, saving renters about $7,140/year.

Median household income is $24,339/year higher in Oakland. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Oakland is $924,700 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

Oakland vs Odessa — common questions

Is Oakland or Odessa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Odessa is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 195 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Oakland and Odessa?
Median rent in Oakland is $1,917/month and in Odessa it's $1,322/month — a difference of $595/month.
Which city has higher income, Oakland or Odessa?
Median household income is $97,369 in Oakland and $73,030 in Odessa. Median household income is $24,339/year higher in Oakland.
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 Oakland or Odessa?
It depends on your priorities. Oakland has a cost index of 195 with median rent of $1,917/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 Oakland details → View Odessa details →

More Comparisons

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