Moving from Carrollton, TX to Odessa, TX
Relocating between Carrollton, TX and Odessa, TX is a 355 mi drive β 6h 10m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
355 mi Β· 6h 10m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 820, PGBT |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Garland, Frisco, Mckinney, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Carrollton | Odessa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 93.896 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 82.86 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 89.709 | 100.0 |
Expect about 8.9% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Odessa at 93.896 vs Carrollton at 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 8.9% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $406,040 to $251,239 moving to Odessa.
YoY change: Carrollton -4.6%, Odessa +5.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Carrollton | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 12.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Carrollton (65.8Β°F) and Odessa (64.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Odessa gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, ODESSA, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Carrollton | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 114,080 |
| Median household income | $99,115 | $73,030 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.54 |
Expect median household income to fall 8.9% β $99,115 β $73,030 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Odessa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,160 | $44,240 |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 8,860 | $46,810 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 8,230 | $41,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 7,770 | $28,170 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 7,360 | $36,360 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Odessa average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Odessa sees only 12.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Carrollton to Odessa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 355 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Odessa, TX from Carrollton, TX?
The driving distance is 355 mi and the route typically takes 6h 10m via I 20 and I 820. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Carrollton vs Odessa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,030 in Odessa vs $99,115 in Carrollton β a 26.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Odessa compared to Carrollton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $251,239 in Odessa vs $406,040 in Carrollton β a 38.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Odessa more expensive than Carrollton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Odessa is 8.9% lower than Carrollton (93.896 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Odessa compare to Carrollton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,830 in the Odessa MSA vs $48,440 in the Carrollton MSA, on total employment of 76,440 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Carrollton.
City profiles: Carrollton, TX Β· Odessa, TX.