Moving from Odessa, TX to Houston, TX
It is a 492 mi drive, roughly 9h 23m, between Odessa, TX and Houston, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
492 mi · 9h 23m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 71, US 87, TX 158 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, League City, Pearland, Sugar Land, Round Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Odessa | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.896 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.86 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.709 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Houston runs about 5.0% more expensive overall than Odessa — RPP 93.896 → 98.629.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Houston run about 5.0% pricier — ZHVI $251,239 → $264,336 (2026-03).
YoY change: Odessa +5.6%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Odessa | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 54.1" |
Annual temperature rises 6.2°F moving to Houston per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Houston sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ODESSA, TX US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Odessa | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $73,030 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 31 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.51 |
Households in Houston earn about 5.0% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 Houston average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 much do homes cost in Houston compared to Odessa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $251,239 in Odessa — a 5.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Odessa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $45,830 in the Odessa MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 76,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Odessa and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 64.4°F in Odessa (6.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 12.3 in.
How does household income compare in Odessa vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $73,030 in Odessa — a 13.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Houston more expensive than Odessa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 5.0% higher than Odessa (98.629 vs 93.896, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Odessa to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 492 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Houston, TX from Odessa, TX?
The driving distance is 492 mi and the route typically takes 9h 23m via TX 71 and US 87. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Odessa.
City profiles: Odessa, TX · Houston, TX.