Moving from Glendale, CA to Odessa, TX
It is 1095 mi between Glendale and Odessa — roughly 18h 59m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1095 mi · 18h 59m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Simi Valley, Burbank, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Glendale | 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 Glendale to Odessa — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,201,880 in Glendale to $251,239 in Odessa, a 17.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Glendale -0.6%, Odessa +5.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Glendale | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.5" | 12.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 64.5°F vs 64.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 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 1991–2020 (stations: BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US, ODESSA, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Glendale | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 114,080 |
| Median household income | $84,262 | $73,030 |
| Median age | 41.4 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.7% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.54 |
Households in Odessa earn about 17.3% less at the median — ACS 5-year 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.
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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
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 94°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 much do homes cost in Odessa compared to Glendale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $251,239 in Odessa vs $1,201,880 in Glendale — a 79.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Glendale and Odessa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.4°F in Odessa vs 64.5°F in Glendale (0.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 12.3 in vs 16.5 in.
How does the job market in Odessa compare to Glendale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,830 in the Odessa MSA vs $50,490 in the Glendale 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 far is Odessa, TX from Glendale, CA?
The driving distance is 1095 mi and the route typically takes 18h 59m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Glendale to Odessa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1095 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Odessa more expensive than Glendale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Odessa is 17.3% lower than Glendale (93.896 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Glendale vs Odessa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,030 in Odessa vs $84,262 in Glendale — a 13.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Glendale.
City profiles: Glendale, CA · Odessa, TX.