Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chicago, IL
VS
Odessa, TX
🏆 Odessa leads 14 of 21 categories
Chicago
Illinois
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,673 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
142⚠ High
Population
2,721,914 ✓ Larger
Odessa
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,293
Violent Crime Index
83 ✓ Safer
Population
113,353
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chicago, IL
Pros
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 94°F
Cons
Violent crime (539.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3472.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Odessa
Higher unemployment (8.2% vs 6.1%)
Odessa, TX
Pros
Homes cost $111k less ($193,500 vs $304,500)
41% less violent crime than Chicago
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (6.1%)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 32°F
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Chicago
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Key Differences at a Glance
Odessa
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 92.1 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Odessa
Violent Crime
41% lower
316.3 vs 539.8 per 100k
Odessa
Median Home Value
$111k less
$193,500 vs $304,500
Odessa
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
6.1% vs 8.2% unemployment
Odessa
Summer Heat
13.0°F warmer
July avg high 94.0°F vs 81.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Odessa, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 92.1 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $304,500 | $193,500 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,314 | $1,282 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,673 ✓ Higher | $71,293 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High | 6.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.1 min⚠ High | 23.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 15.6% ✓ Higher | 3.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 151⚠ High | 85 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 142⚠ High | 83 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 165⚠ High | 88 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (118) | — |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 18.4% |
| High School or Higher | 86.6% ✓ Higher | 81.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | UTPB STEM ACADEMY |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.9°F | 56.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.0°F | 94.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.4" | 12.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 38.8" | 0.9" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 2,721,914 ✓ Larger | 113,353 |
| Median Age | 35.3 ✓ Older | 30.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.6% | 59.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 29.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.3% ✓ More | 9.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicago's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Odessa's 92.1 (US average = 100).
Odessa is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Odessa leads 14 of 21 categories. Chicago wins 7 and Odessa wins 14. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Chicago to Odessa or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($304,500 vs $193,500 median home), income ($71,673 vs $71,293), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chicago, IL and Odessa, TX are about 1,060 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.