Odessa vs Roanoke
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Odessa
Roanoke
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 4.9%, with Roanoke being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Odessa has equivalent purchasing power to $71,471 in Roanoke.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Odessa has the same purchasing power as $71,471 in Roanoke.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $78,704 in Odessa.
Living in Odessa vs Roanoke
Housing Costs
Odessa's housing index of 72 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $223,000 vs $225,000. The $2,000 difference in home prices means roughly $132 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,150/mo in Odessa compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Odessa and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Odessa vs $461/month in Roanoke. 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 100 in Odessa and 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Odessa vs $464 in Roanoke. 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 91 in Roanoke. 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 $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $86,471 and $65,062 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 $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/mo fits within this budget. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases