Moving from Fort Worth, TX to Odessa, TX
It is a 319 mi drive, roughly 5h 33m, between Fort Worth, TX and Odessa, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
319 mi Β· 5h 33m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 30, LOOP 338 |
| Major cities en route | Irving, Carrollton, Lewisville, Arlington, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Worth | 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 |
Moderate COL drop: 8.9% cheaper overall in Odessa than Fort Worth on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 8.9% under Fort Worth β $298,051 β $251,239 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Fort Worth -2.8%, Odessa +5.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Worth | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 12.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Odessa β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US, ODESSA, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Worth | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 114,080 |
| Median household income | $76,602 | $73,030 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.54 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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
How does the job market in Odessa compare to Fort Worth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,830 in the Odessa MSA vs $48,440 in the Fort Worth 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.
Is Odessa more expensive than Fort Worth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Odessa is 8.9% lower than Fort Worth (93.896 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Fort Worth to Odessa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 319 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 Fort Worth, TX?
The driving distance is 319 mi and the route typically takes 5h 33m via I 20 and I 30. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fort Worth vs Odessa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,030 in Odessa vs $76,602 in Fort Worth β a 4.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Odessa compared to Fort Worth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $251,239 in Odessa vs $298,051 in Fort Worth β a 15.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Worth.
City profiles: Fort Worth, TX Β· Odessa, TX.