Des Moines vs Odessa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Des Moines
Odessa
The Verdict
Living in Odessa costs 4.7% less than Des Moines. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Des Moines, you would need $71,629 in Odessa.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Des Moines has the same purchasing power as $71,629 in Odessa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Odessa equals $78,529 in Des Moines.
Living in Des Moines vs Odessa
Housing Costs
Des Moines's housing index of 74 is higher Odessa's 72, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $223,000. The $13,000 difference in home prices means roughly $840 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Des Moines compared to $1,150/mo in Odessa, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Des Moines and 96 in Odessa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Des Moines vs $456/month in Odessa. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Des Moines and 100 in Odessa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Des Moines vs $400 in Odessa. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Des Moines and 96 in Odessa. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,958 in Des Moines and $73,500 in Odessa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,874 and $86,471 respectively. Odessa residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,306/month to housing in Des Moines vs $1,715/month in Odessa. In Des Moines, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 7 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases