Odessa vs Santa Fe
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Odessa
Santa Fe
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 27.4%, with Odessa being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Odessa has equivalent purchasing power to $103,235 in Santa Fe.
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 $103,235 in Santa Fe.
Conversely, $75,000 in Santa Fe equals $54,487 in Odessa.
Living in Odessa vs Santa Fe
Housing Costs
Odessa's housing index of 72 is lower Santa Fe's 153, translating to median home prices of $223,000 vs $480,000. The $257,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,704 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 Santa Fe, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Odessa and 103 in Santa Fe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Odessa vs $489/month in Santa Fe. Odessa offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Odessa and 96 in Santa Fe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Odessa vs $384 in Santa Fe. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Odessa and 95 in Santa Fe. 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 $61,982 in Santa Fe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $86,471 and $52,976 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 $1,446/month in Santa Fe. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/mo fits within this budget. In Santa Fe, 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 81 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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