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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Odessa

Texas
83

San Jose is 206% more expensive than Odessa.

$2,617/mo ↑ 98%
Median Rent
$1,322/mo ↓ 49%
$141,565/yr ↑ 94%
Median Income
$73,030/yr ↓ 48%
$1,187,800 ↑ 471%
Home Value
$208,000 ↓ 82%
$2,775/mo ↑ 122%
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ↓ 55%
990,054
Population
114,080

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Odessa, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,295/month cheaper in Odessa, saving renters about $15,540/year.

Median household income is $68,535/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 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 Jose vs Odessa — common questions

Is San Jose or Odessa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Odessa is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Odessa?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Odessa it's $1,322/month — a difference of $1,295/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Odessa?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $73,030 in Odessa. Median household income is $68,535/year higher in San Jose.
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 Jose or Odessa?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 Jose details → View Odessa details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Jose and Odessa

San Jose vs. Dallas San Jose vs. Austin San Jose vs. San Diego San Jose vs. Jacksonville San Jose vs. San Antonio San Jose vs. Fort Worth Odessa vs. Elgin Odessa vs. Springfield Odessa vs. Provo Odessa vs. Beaumont Odessa vs. Waterbury Odessa vs. Gresham