Moving from Irving, TX to Odessa, TX
Moving from Irving, TX to Odessa, TX covers 345 mi and about 6h 1m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
345 mi · 6h 1m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 820, I 820 TEXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Plano, Garland, Mckinney, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Irving | 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 |
Overall prices in Odessa are 8.9% below Irving — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Odessa typical home at $251,239 is 8.9% under Irving at $341,503 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Irving -2.6%, Odessa +5.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Irving | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.6" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.0" | 12.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.6°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: DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US, ODESSA, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Irving | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 114,080 |
| Median household income | $79,641 | $73,030 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.8% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.71 | 2.54 |
Median household income in Odessa is 8.9% below Irving ($79,641 → $73,030, ACS 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 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.
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.
Frequently asked
Is Odessa more expensive than Irving?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Odessa is 8.9% lower than Irving (93.896 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Irving vs Odessa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,030 in Odessa vs $79,641 in Irving — a 8.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Odessa, TX from Irving, TX?
The driving distance is 345 mi and the route typically takes 6h 1m via I 20 and I 820. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Odessa compare to Irving?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,830 in the Odessa MSA vs $48,440 in the Irving 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.
When is the best time to move from Irving 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 345 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Odessa compared to Irving?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $251,239 in Odessa vs $341,503 in Irving — a 26.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Irving and Odessa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.4°F in Odessa vs 66.6°F in Irving (2.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 1.6 in. Annual precipitation: 12.3 in vs 37.0 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Irving.
City profiles: Irving, TX · Odessa, TX.