Moving from Odessa, TX to Midland, TX
The drive from Odessa to Midland covers 19 mi in about 26 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
19 mi · 26 min by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 191, FM 868, TX 158 BUS |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Odessa | Midland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.896 | 95.783 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.86 | 83.24 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.709 | 101.497 | 100.0 |
Midland and Odessa are close on the overall BEA RPP (93.896 vs 95.783); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Midland typical home at $328,325 is 2.0% above Odessa at $251,239 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Odessa +5.6%, Midland +2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Odessa | Midland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 1.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 13.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 64.4°F vs 65.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 1.9 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ODESSA, TX US, MIDLAND 4 ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Odessa | Midland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 133,998 |
| Median household income | $73,030 | $91,169 |
| Median age | 31 | 31.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 23.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.54 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 2.0% between Odessa and Midland (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Midland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 17,160 | $49,990 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,010 | $48,020 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 11,250 | $45,440 |
| Management Occupations | 10,010 | $126,770 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations | 9,680 | $56,990 |
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 Midland average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Midland sees only 13.6 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 household income compare in Odessa vs Midland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,169 in Midland vs $73,030 in Odessa — a 24.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Odessa and Midland?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.0°F in Midland vs 64.4°F in Odessa (0.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.9 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 13.6 in vs 12.3 in.
How does the job market in Midland compare to Odessa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,470 in the Midland MSA vs $45,830 in the Odessa MSA, on total employment of 114,810 and 76,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Midland more expensive than Odessa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Midland is 2.0% higher than Odessa (95.783 vs 93.896, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Midland, TX from Odessa, TX?
The driving distance is 19 mi and the route typically takes 26 min via TX 191 and FM 868. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Midland compared to Odessa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $328,325 in Midland vs $251,239 in Odessa — a 30.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Odessa to Midland?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 19 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Odessa.
City profiles: Odessa, TX · Midland, TX.