Moving from Odessa, TX to Brownsville, TX
The drive from Odessa, TX to Brownsville, TX runs 614 mi — about 11h 8m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
614 mi · 11h 8m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 281 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Midland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Odessa | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.896 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.86 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.709 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Brownsville are 8.4% below Odessa — 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: Brownsville typical home at $195,993 is 8.4% under Odessa at $251,239 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Odessa +5.6%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Odessa | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 74°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 51°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | — |
Climate warms by 10.0°F on the annual average — 64.4°F → 74.4°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ODESSA, TX US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Odessa | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $73,030 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 31 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 3.21 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 8.4% between Odessa and Brownsville (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
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 Brownsville average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.0°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Odessa to Brownsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 614 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Brownsville, TX from Odessa, TX?
The driving distance is 614 mi and the route typically takes 11h 8m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Brownsville more expensive than Odessa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 8.4% lower than Odessa (85.975 vs 93.896, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Brownsville compare to Odessa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $45,830 in the Odessa MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 76,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Odessa vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $73,030 in Odessa — a 33.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Brownsville compared to Odessa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $251,239 in Odessa — a 22.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Odessa.
City profiles: Odessa, TX · Brownsville, TX.