City Comparison

Odessa vs Reno

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Odessa

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

Reno

Nevada
111
Above Average
$450,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$61,648
Median Income

The Verdict

23.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 23.4%, with Odessa being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Odessa has equivalent purchasing power to $97,941 in Reno.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Odessa
133
Reno
Groceries
96
Odessa
102
Reno
Utilities
100
Odessa
93
Reno
Transportation
93
Odessa
105
Reno
Healthcare
96
Odessa
96
Reno

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Odessa has the same purchasing power as $97,941 in Reno.

Conversely, $75,000 in Reno equals $57,432 in Odessa.

Living in Odessa vs Reno

Housing Costs

Odessa's housing index of 72 is lower Reno's 133, translating to median home prices of $223,000 vs $450,000. The $227,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,760 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 Reno, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Odessa and 102 in Reno. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Odessa vs $485/month in Reno. Odessa offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Odessa and 93 in Reno. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Odessa vs $372 in Reno. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Odessa and 96 in Reno. 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 $73,500 in Odessa and $61,648 in Reno. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $86,471 and $55,539 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 $1,438/month in Reno. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/mo fits within this budget. In Reno, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 61 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Odessa is 23.4% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 111.
A $75,000 salary in Odessa has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $97,941 in Reno, based on the cost of living difference.
Odessa's housing index is 72 with median homes at $223,000, while Reno's is 133 with median homes at $450,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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