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City Report · TX

Odessa

Pop. 115,322·179th most expensive in Texas·Odessa rents have dropped 6.6%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$1,537/mo
Year-over-Year
-6.6%
Month-over-Month
-1.4%
vs US Median
-$428
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Odessa · $1,537
More affordable than 73% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
25% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,537/mo, rent takes about 25% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$61,000/yr
Local median income
$73,472/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Odessa's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,403
1 BR
$1,410
2 BR
$1,800
3 BR
$2,180
4 BR+
$2,573
Research median
$1,800/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$18,444/yr
At $1,537/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 6.6% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-6.6% YoY, -1.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Odessa, TX is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 19% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
115,322
Median income
$73,472
Median age
31.1
Renters
40.2%
Age distribution
29.4%
27.6%
25%
Under 1829.4%
18–3427.6%
35–5425%
55–647.9%
65+10.1%
Gender
51.3%
48.7%
Male51.3%
Female48.7%
Race & ethnicity
47.4%
62.7%
White47.4%
Black6.1%
Hispanic62.7%
Asian1.8%
Education (25+)
18.4%
31.2%
31.4%
19%
No HS diploma18.4%
HS diploma31.2%
Some college31.4%
Bachelor's+19%
Housing tenure
59.8%
40.2%
Owner59.8%
Renter40.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Odessa, TX has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,208 → $1,537
up 27.2%
Income
$66,769 → $73,472
up 10.0%
Population
112,640 → 115,322
up 2.4%
Renter share
40.6% → 40.2%
-0.4 pts
Bachelor's+
18.9% → 19%
+0.1 pts

The median rent in Odessa, TX stood at $1,208 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,537, reflecting a 27.2% increase over the period. Census figures show median household income at $73,472 today, compared with $66,769 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 2.4% since 2021, moving from about 112,640 residents to roughly 115,322. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Odessa

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View Odessa rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Odessa on your salary?

At $1,537/mo, how Odessa rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Odessa rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Odessa. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Odessa

About renting in Odessa, TX

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Odessa is $1,537/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,403/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,800/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,410/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,180/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($73,472/yr), Odessa ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 6.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Odessa an affordable city for renters?

Odessa is considered affordable for renters. At $1,537/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($73,472/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Odessa falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Odessa?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $61,000/year (~$29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,537/mo in Odessa. The local median household income is $73,472/yr, meaning the typical Odessa household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Odessa?

Rent in Odessa has decreased 6.6% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Odessa neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Odessa are 79761 ($1,171/mo), 79762 ($1,389/mo), and 79765 ($1,758/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Odessa is $1,537/mo.

How does Odessa rent compare to other cities in Texas?

Odessa is middle-of-the-pack for Texas for rent, ranking #179 out of 269 tracked cities at $1,537/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Odessa?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Odessa ($1,537/mo): Big Spring ($1,340/mo), Hobbs ($1,497/mo).

What percentage of Odessa residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 40.2% of Odessa households are renters, while 59.8% are owner-occupied. Odessa leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Odessa rent compare to the national average?

Odessa's median rent of $1,537/mo is $428 (22%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Texas, it ranks #179 out of 269 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,537/mo, rent takes ~25% of Odessa's median household income ($73,472/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Odessa 25%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Odessa affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Odessa, TX

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