Odessa vs Wilmington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Odessa
Wilmington
The Verdict
Living in Odessa costs 18.3% less than Wilmington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Odessa, you would need $91,765 in Wilmington.
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 $91,765 in Wilmington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $61,298 in Odessa.
Living in Odessa vs Wilmington
Housing Costs
Odessa's housing index of 72 is lower Wilmington's 104, translating to median home prices of $223,000 vs $235,000. The $12,000 difference in home prices means roughly $780 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 Wilmington, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Odessa and 103 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Odessa vs $489/month in Wilmington. 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 106 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Odessa vs $424 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Odessa and 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $46,520 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $86,471 and $44,731 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 $1,085/month in Wilmington. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, 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 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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