Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Odessa, TX
VS
Pomona, CA
🏆 Odessa leads 14 of 21 categories
Odessa
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,293
Violent Crime Index
83 ✓ Safer
Population
113,353
Pomona
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,515 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
188⚠ High
Population
149,831 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Odessa, TX
Pros
Homes cost $331k less ($193,500 vs $524,700)
56% less violent crime than Pomona
23% cheaper overall cost of living than Pomona
Rent averages $349/mo less ($1,282 vs $1,631)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.1)
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Pomona, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 57°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $524,700
Violent crime (715.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 23% higher than Odessa
Higher rents — median is $1,631/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Odessa
Cost of Living
23% cheaper
COL index 92.1 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Odessa
Violent Crime
56% lower
316.3 vs 715.9 per 100k
Odessa
Median Home Value
$331k less
$193,500 vs $524,700
Odessa
Summer Heat
3.7°F warmer
July avg high 94.0°F vs 90.3°F
Pomona
Median Income
$2,222
$73,515 vs $71,293/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Pomona, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.1 ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $193,500 ✓ Lower | $524,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,282 ✓ Lower | $1,631⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,293 | $73,515 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.0 min ✓ Shorter | 32.1 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 3.2% | 7.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 85 ✓ Safer | 165⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 ✓ Safer | 188⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 88 ✓ Safer | 131⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | — | C (79) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | — | 21.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 18.4% ✓ Higher | 18.2% |
| High School or Higher | 81.0% ✓ Higher | 72.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | UTPB STEM ACADEMY | Pomona Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.9°F | 67.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 94.0°F ✓ Warmer | 90.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 14.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.9" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 113,353 | 149,831 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 34.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% ✓ Higher | 53.9% |
| Under 18 | 29.4% ✓ More | 24.3% |
| Over 65 | 9.9% | 12.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Odessa's cost of living index is 92.1 vs Pomona's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Odessa is 23% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Odessa leads 14 of 21 categories. Odessa wins 14 and Pomona wins 7. 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 Odessa to Pomona or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($193,500 vs $524,700 median home), income ($71,293 vs $73,515), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Odessa, TX and Pomona, CA are about 905 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.