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

San Diego

California
197
VS

Odessa

Texas
83

San Diego is 137% more expensive than Odessa.

$2,223/mo ↑ 68%
Median Rent
$1,322/mo ↓ 41%
$104,321/yr ↑ 43%
Median Income
$73,030/yr ↓ 30%
$848,500 ↑ 308%
Home Value
$208,000 ↓ 75%
$2,308/mo ↑ 84%
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ↓ 46%
1,385,061
Population
114,080

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Diego, CA and Odessa, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $901/month cheaper in Odessa, saving renters about $10,812/year.

Median household income is $31,291/year higher in San Diego. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Diego is $848,500 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

San Diego vs Odessa — common questions

Is San Diego or Odessa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Odessa is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Diego and Odessa?
Median rent in San Diego is $2,223/month and in Odessa it's $1,322/month — a difference of $901/month.
Which city has higher income, San Diego or Odessa?
Median household income is $104,321 in San Diego and $73,030 in Odessa. Median household income is $31,291/year higher in San Diego.
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 San Diego or Odessa?
It depends on your priorities. San Diego has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,223/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 San Diego details → View Odessa details →

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