City Comparison

Jacksonville vs Odessa

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Jacksonville

Florida
95
Below Average
$280,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$53,025
Median Income

Odessa

Texas
85
Very Affordable
$223,000
Median Home
$1,150/mo
Median Rent
$73,500
Median Income

The Verdict

11.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 11.8%, with Odessa being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Jacksonville has equivalent purchasing power to $67,105 in Odessa.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
89
Jacksonville
72
Odessa
Groceries
101
Jacksonville
96
Odessa
Utilities
94
Jacksonville
100
Odessa
Transportation
103
Jacksonville
93
Odessa
Healthcare
95
Jacksonville
96
Odessa

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Jacksonville has the same purchasing power as $67,105 in Odessa.

Conversely, $75,000 in Odessa equals $83,824 in Jacksonville.

Living in Jacksonville vs Odessa

Housing Costs

Jacksonville's housing index of 89 is higher Odessa's 72, translating to median home prices of $280,000 vs $223,000. The $57,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,708 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Jacksonville compared to $1,150/mo in Odessa, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Jacksonville and 96 in Odessa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Jacksonville 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 94 in Jacksonville and 100 in Odessa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Jacksonville vs $400 in Odessa. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 95 in Jacksonville 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 $53,025 in Jacksonville and $73,500 in Odessa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,816 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 $1,237/month to housing in Jacksonville vs $1,715/month in Odessa. In Jacksonville, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Odessa is 11.8% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Jacksonville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,105 in Odessa, based on the cost of living difference.
Jacksonville's housing index is 89 with median homes at $280,000, while Odessa's is 72 with median homes at $223,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases