Moving from Wilmington, NC to Odessa, TX
Cross-country relocations like Wilmington, NC β Odessa, TX cover 1551 mi and about 27h 59m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1551 mi Β· 27h 59m by car Β· NC β SC β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β SC β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Columbia, Sandy Springs, Atlanta, South Fulton, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wilmington | Odessa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.422 | 93.896 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.902 | 82.86 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 93.215 | 89.709 | 100.0 |
Odessa and Wilmington are close on the overall BEA RPP (96.422 vs 93.896); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Odessa typical home at $251,239 is 2.6% under Wilmington at $416,159 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, Odessa +5.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Wilmington | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 12.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.4Β°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: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, ODESSA, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 114,080 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $73,030 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 2.54 |
Income steps up 2.6%: $63,900 in Wilmington vs $73,030 in Odessa.
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 North Carolina 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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
How much do homes cost in Odessa compared to Wilmington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $251,239 in Odessa vs $416,159 in Wilmington β a 39.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Odessa more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Odessa is 2.6% lower than Wilmington (93.896 vs 96.422, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Wilmington vs Odessa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,030 in Odessa vs $63,900 in Wilmington β a 14.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Odessa, TX from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 1551 mi and the route typically takes 27h 59m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Odessa compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,830 in the Odessa MSA vs $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA, on total employment of 76,440 and 142,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Wilmington to Odessa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1551 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Wilmington.
City profiles: Wilmington, NC Β· Odessa, TX.