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

Santa Clara

California
307
VS

Odessa

Texas
83

Santa Clara is 270% more expensive than Odessa.

$2,985/mo ↑ 126%
Median Rent
$1,322/mo ↓ 56%
$173,670/yr ↑ 138%
Median Income
$73,030/yr ↓ 58%
$1,527,900 ↑ 635%
Home Value
$208,000 ↓ 86%
$3,051/mo ↑ 144%
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ↓ 59%
129,239
Population
114,080

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clara, CA and Odessa, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 307 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,663/month cheaper in Odessa, saving renters about $19,956/year.

Median household income is $100,640/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clara is $1,527,900 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

Santa Clara vs Odessa — common questions

Is Santa Clara or Odessa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Odessa is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 307 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clara and Odessa?
Median rent in Santa Clara is $2,985/month and in Odessa it's $1,322/month — a difference of $1,663/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clara or Odessa?
Median household income is $173,670 in Santa Clara and $73,030 in Odessa. Median household income is $100,640/year higher in Santa Clara.
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 Santa Clara or Odessa?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with median rent of $2,985/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 Santa Clara details → View Odessa details →

More Comparisons

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