City Comparison

Odessa vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Odessa

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

Springfield

Massachusetts
107
Above Average
$230,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$41,612
Median Income

The Verdict

20.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 20.6%, with Odessa being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Odessa has equivalent purchasing power to $94,412 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Odessa
106
Springfield
Groceries
96
Odessa
104
Springfield
Utilities
100
Odessa
119
Springfield
Transportation
93
Odessa
101
Springfield
Healthcare
96
Odessa
114
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Odessa has the same purchasing power as $94,412 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $59,579 in Odessa.

Living in Odessa vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Odessa's housing index of 72 is lower Springfield's 106, translating to median home prices of $223,000 vs $230,000. The $7,000 difference in home prices means roughly $456 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,150/mo in Odessa compared to $1,200/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Odessa and 104 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Odessa vs $494/month in Springfield. Odessa offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Odessa and 119 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Odessa vs $476 in Springfield. 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 114 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $41,612 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $86,471 and $38,890 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 $971/month in Springfield. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Odessa is 20.6% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Odessa has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $94,412 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Odessa's housing index is 72 with median homes at $223,000, while Springfield's is 106 with median homes at $230,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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