Moving from Downey, CA to Odessa, TX
Relocating 1089 mi from Downey to Odessa is a 18h 48m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1089 mi Β· 18h 48m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Midland, El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | Odessa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 93.896 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 82.86 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 89.709 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 17.3% moving from Downey to Odessa β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $888,710 in Downey to $251,239 in Odessa, a 17.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, Odessa +5.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 12.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.9Β°F vs 64.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Odessa sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, ODESSA, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 114,080 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $73,030 |
| Median age | 37 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.54 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 17.3% lower in Odessa than Downey.
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.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Odessa, TX from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 1089 mi and the route typically takes 18h 48m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Odessa compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $251,239 in Odessa vs $888,710 in Downey β a 71.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Odessa compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,830 in the Odessa MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 76,440 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Downey vs Odessa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,030 in Odessa vs $87,400 in Downey β a 16.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Downey to Odessa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1089 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Odessa more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Odessa is 17.3% lower than Downey (93.896 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Downey.
City profiles: Downey, CA Β· Odessa, TX.