Moving from Atlanta, GA to Odessa, TX
A move from Atlanta, GA to Odessa, TX covers 1130 mi and around 20h 6m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1130 mi Β· 20h 6m by car Β· GA β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | GA β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Sandy Springs, South Fulton, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Jackson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Atlanta | Odessa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.058 | 93.896 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.239 | 82.86 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.416 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.022 | 89.709 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Odessa are 6.2% below Atlanta β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Odessa typical home at $251,239 is 6.2% under Atlanta at $385,599 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Atlanta -3.8%, Odessa +5.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Atlanta | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 12.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 62.3Β°F vs 64.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Odessa sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ATLANTA FULTON CO AP, GA US, ODESSA, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Atlanta | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 114,080 |
| Median household income | $81,938 | $73,030 |
| Median age | 34 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.8% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.16 | 2.54 |
Median household income in Odessa is 6.2% below Atlanta ($81,938 β $73,030, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Odessa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,160 | $44,240 |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 8,860 | $46,810 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 8,230 | $41,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 7,770 | $28,170 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 7,360 | $36,360 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Georgia and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Odessa average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Odessa sees only 12.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Odessa more expensive than Atlanta?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Odessa is 6.2% lower than Atlanta (93.896 vs 100.058, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Odessa, TX from Atlanta, GA?
The driving distance is 1130 mi and the route typically takes 20h 6m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Odessa compared to Atlanta?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $251,239 in Odessa vs $385,599 in Atlanta β a 34.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Atlanta vs Odessa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,030 in Odessa vs $81,938 in Atlanta β a 10.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Atlanta to Odessa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1130 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Odessa compare to Atlanta?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,830 in the Odessa MSA vs $48,370 in the Atlanta MSA, on total employment of 76,440 and 2,817,660 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Atlanta.
City profiles: Atlanta, GA Β· Odessa, TX.