Moving from Midland, TX to Odessa, TX
Moving from Midland, TX to Odessa, TX is a 19 mi drive, about 26 min by car. This is a local relocation — same-day moves are typical — but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
19 mi · 26 min by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 191, FM 868, TX 158 BUS |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Midland | Odessa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.783 | 93.896 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.24 | 82.86 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 101.497 | 89.709 | 100.0 |
Odessa and Midland are close on the overall BEA RPP (95.783 vs 93.896); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Odessa typical home at $251,239 is 2.0% under Midland at $328,325 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Midland +2.7%, Odessa +5.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Midland | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.9" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.6" | 12.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 65.0°F vs 64.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 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 1991–2020 (stations: MIDLAND 4 ENE, TX US, ODESSA, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Midland | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,998 | 114,080 |
| Median household income | $91,169 | $73,030 |
| Median age | 31.6 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.9% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.54 |
Median household income in Odessa is 2.0% below Midland ($91,169 → $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.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 94°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.
Frequently asked
How far is Odessa, TX from Midland, TX?
The driving distance is 19 mi and the route typically takes 26 min via TX 191 and FM 868. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Odessa more expensive than Midland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Odessa is 2.0% lower than Midland (93.896 vs 95.783, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Odessa compare to Midland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,830 in the Odessa MSA vs $50,470 in the Midland MSA, on total employment of 76,440 and 114,810 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Odessa compared to Midland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $251,239 in Odessa vs $328,325 in Midland — a 23.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Midland vs Odessa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,030 in Odessa vs $91,169 in Midland — a 19.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Midland to Odessa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 19 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Midland and Odessa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.4°F in Odessa vs 65.0°F in Midland (0.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 1.9 in. Annual precipitation: 12.3 in vs 13.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Midland.
City profiles: Midland, TX · Odessa, TX.