City Comparison

Odessa vs Stamford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Odessa

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

Stamford

Connecticut
158
Very Expensive
$580,000
Median Home
$2,400/mo
Median Rent
$95,272
Median Income

The Verdict

46.2%

Living in Odessa costs 46.2% less than Stamford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Odessa, you would need $139,412 in Stamford.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Odessa
232
Stamford
Groceries
96
Odessa
110
Stamford
Utilities
100
Odessa
128
Stamford
Transportation
93
Odessa
107
Stamford
Healthcare
96
Odessa
114
Stamford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Odessa has the same purchasing power as $139,412 in Stamford.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stamford equals $40,348 in Odessa.

Living in Odessa vs Stamford

Housing Costs

Odessa's housing index of 72 is lower Stamford's 232, translating to median home prices of $223,000 vs $580,000. The $357,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,208 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,150/mo in Odessa compared to $2,400/mo in Stamford, a monthly difference of $1,250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Odessa and 110 in Stamford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Odessa vs $523/month in Stamford. Odessa offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $804/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Odessa and 128 in Stamford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Odessa vs $512 in Stamford. 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 Stamford. 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 $95,272 in Stamford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $86,471 and $60,299 respectively. Odessa residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,715/month to housing in Odessa vs $2,223/month in Stamford. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/mo fits within this budget. In Stamford, median rent of $2,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 160 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Odessa is 46.2% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 158.
A $75,000 salary in Odessa has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $139,412 in Stamford, based on the cost of living difference.
Odessa's housing index is 72 with median homes at $223,000, while Stamford's is 232 with median homes at $580,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases