Moving from Odessa, TX to El Paso, TX
Moving from Odessa, TX to El Paso, TX covers 289 mi and about 4h 50m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
289 mi · 4h 50m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Midland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Odessa | El Paso | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.896 | 89.912 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.86 | 82.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.709 | 71.248 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in El Paso and Odessa is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in El Paso is 4.2% below Odessa ($234,775 vs $251,239 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Odessa +5.6%, El Paso +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Odessa | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 2.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 8.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Odessa (64.4°F) and El Paso (66.2°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
El Paso averages 2.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ODESSA, TX US, EL PASO INTL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Odessa | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 678,147 |
| Median household income | $73,030 | $58,734 |
| Median age | 31 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 18.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.8 |
Median household income in El Paso is 4.2% below Odessa ($73,030 → $58,734, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Paso MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 44,500 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 34,790 | $23,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 32,160 | $33,850 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,050 | $28,800 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 23,040 | $61,670 |
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 El Paso average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: El Paso sees only 8.8 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 does household income compare in Odessa vs El Paso?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,734 in El Paso vs $73,030 in Odessa — a 19.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Odessa to El Paso?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 289 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is El Paso, TX from Odessa, TX?
The driving distance is 289 mi and the route typically takes 4h 50m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Odessa and El Paso?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.2°F in El Paso vs 64.4°F in Odessa (1.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.8 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 12.3 in.
How does the job market in El Paso compare to Odessa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $36,000 in the El Paso MSA vs $45,830 in the Odessa MSA, on total employment of 323,310 and 76,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is El Paso more expensive than Odessa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Paso is 4.2% lower than Odessa (89.912 vs 93.896, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in El Paso compared to Odessa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $234,775 in El Paso vs $251,239 in Odessa — a 6.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Odessa.
City profiles: Odessa, TX · El Paso, TX.