City Comparison

Odessa vs Providence

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Odessa

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

Providence

Rhode Island
110
Above Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$47,012
Median Income

The Verdict

22.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 22.7%, with Odessa being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Odessa has equivalent purchasing power to $97,059 in Providence.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Odessa
118
Providence
Groceries
96
Odessa
105
Providence
Utilities
100
Odessa
119
Providence
Transportation
93
Odessa
102
Providence
Healthcare
96
Odessa
112
Providence

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Odessa has the same purchasing power as $97,059 in Providence.

Conversely, $75,000 in Providence equals $57,955 in Odessa.

Living in Odessa vs Providence

Housing Costs

Odessa's housing index of 72 is lower Providence's 118, translating to median home prices of $223,000 vs $310,000. The $87,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,652 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,150/mo in Odessa compared to $1,500/mo in Providence, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Odessa and 105 in Providence. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Odessa vs $499/month in Providence. 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 119 in Providence. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Odessa vs $476 in Providence. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Odessa and 112 in Providence. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $47,012 in Providence. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $86,471 and $42,738 respectively. Odessa residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,715/month to housing in Odessa vs $1,097/month in Providence. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/mo fits within this budget. In Providence, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Odessa is 22.7% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Odessa has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $97,059 in Providence, based on the cost of living difference.
Odessa's housing index is 72 with median homes at $223,000, while Providence's is 118 with median homes at $310,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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