Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Odessa, TX
VS
Torrance, CA
🏆 Torrance leads 11 of 21 categories
Odessa
Texas
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,293
Violent Crime Index
83
Population
113,353
Torrance
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$109,554 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
82 ✓ Safer
Population
145,454 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Odessa, TX
Pros
Homes cost $769k less ($193,500 vs $962,300)
Rent averages $850/mo less ($1,282 vs $2,132)
23% cheaper overall cost of living than Torrance
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.1)
Cons
Median income trails Torrance by $38,261/yr
Higher unemployment (6.1% vs 5.3%)
Torrance, CA
Pros
Households earn $38,261 more per year on average
More college-educated — 52.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (5.3%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 76°F vs 94°F
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 57°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $962,300
Higher rents — median is $2,132/mo
Cost of living runs 23% higher than Odessa
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Odessa
Cost of Living
23% cheaper
COL index 92.1 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Odessa
Median Home Value
$769k less
$193,500 vs $962,300
Odessa
Summer Heat
18.4°F warmer
July avg high 94.0°F vs 75.6°F
Torrance
Median Income
$38,261
$109,554 vs $71,293/yr
Torrance
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
5.3% vs 6.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Torrance, 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 | $962,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,282 ✓ Lower | $2,132⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,293 | $109,554 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1%⚠ High | 5.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.0 min ✓ Shorter | 27.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 3.2% | 15.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 85 ✓ Safer | 102⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 | 82 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 88 ✓ Safer | 132⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | — | B+ (107) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | — | 25.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 18.4% | 52.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.0% | 95.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | UTPB STEM ACADEMY | Torrance Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.9°F | 66.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 94.0°F ✓ Warmer | 75.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 13.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.9" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 113,353 | 145,454 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 42.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% ✓ Higher | 54.8% |
| Under 18 | 29.4% ✓ More | 20.8% |
| Over 65 | 9.9% | 17.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Odessa's cost of living index is 92.1 vs Torrance's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Odessa is 23% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Torrance leads 11 of 21 categories. Odessa wins 10 and Torrance wins 11. 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 Torrance or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($193,500 vs $962,300 median home), income ($71,293 vs $109,554), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Odessa, TX and Torrance, CA are about 938 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.