City Comparison

Odessa vs Olympia

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Odessa

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

Olympia

Washington
112
Above Average
$495,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$81,300
Median Income

The Verdict

24.1%

Living in Odessa costs 24.1% less than Olympia. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Odessa, you would need $98,824 in Olympia.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Odessa
131
Olympia
Groceries
96
Odessa
105
Olympia
Utilities
100
Odessa
91
Olympia
Transportation
93
Odessa
129
Olympia
Healthcare
96
Odessa
124
Olympia

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Odessa has the same purchasing power as $98,824 in Olympia.

Conversely, $75,000 in Olympia equals $56,920 in Odessa.

Living in Odessa vs Olympia

Housing Costs

Odessa's housing index of 72 is lower Olympia's 131, translating to median home prices of $223,000 vs $495,000. The $272,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,676 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,150/mo in Odessa compared to $1,600/mo in Olympia, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Odessa and 105 in Olympia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Odessa vs $499/month in Olympia. Odessa offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Odessa and 91 in Olympia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Odessa vs $364 in Olympia. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Odessa and 124 in Olympia. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 28-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $73,500 in Odessa and $81,300 in Olympia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $86,471 and $72,589 respectively. Odessa residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,715/month to housing in Odessa vs $1,897/month in Olympia. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/mo fits within this budget. In Olympia, median rent of $1,600/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 59 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Odessa is 24.1% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Odessa has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $98,824 in Olympia, based on the cost of living difference.
Odessa's housing index is 72 with median homes at $223,000, while Olympia's is 131 with median homes at $495,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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