Moving from Odessa, TX to Tallahassee, FL
The drive from Odessa, TX to Tallahassee, FL runs 1183 mi β about 21h 29m 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.
1183 mi Β· 21h 29m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Mobile, Jackson, Shreveport, Tyler, Garland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Odessa | Tallahassee | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.896 | 93.919 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.86 | 87.471 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.709 | 78.528 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Odessa (93.896) and Tallahassee (93.919) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Tallahassee at $291,127 is 0.0% above Odessa at $251,239.
YoY change: Odessa +5.6%, Tallahassee +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Odessa | Tallahassee |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 58.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ODESSA, TX US, TALLAHASSEE, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Odessa | Tallahassee |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 199,696 |
| Median household income | $73,030 | $55,931 |
| Median age | 31 | 28 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 28.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.39 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.0% between Odessa and Tallahassee (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tallahassee MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 25,350 | $36,070 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 20,350 | $49,900 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 17,450 | $27,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 15,180 | $29,970 |
| Management Occupations | 12,840 | $84,990 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 Tallahassee average 92Β°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: Tallahassee averages 58.8 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Odessa to Tallahassee?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1183 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Tallahassee, FL from Odessa, TX?
The driving distance is 1183 mi and the route typically takes 21h 29m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Odessa vs Tallahassee?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,931 in Tallahassee vs $73,030 in Odessa β a 23.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tallahassee compare to Odessa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,930 in the Tallahassee MSA vs $45,830 in the Odessa MSA, on total employment of 181,050 and 76,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Tallahassee compared to Odessa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $291,127 in Tallahassee vs $251,239 in Odessa β a 15.9% higher 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 Β· Tallahassee, FL.