Moving from Odessa, TX to Tyler, TX
It is a 450 mi drive, roughly 7h 48m, between Odessa, TX and Tyler, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
450 mi Β· 7h 48m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 69, TX 110 |
| Major cities en route | Midland, Abilene, Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Odessa | Tyler | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.896 | 92.156 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.86 | 82.904 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.709 | 79.911 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Odessa to Tyler β $251,239 vs $251,563 (2026-03).
YoY change: Odessa +5.6%, Tyler -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Odessa | Tyler |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 47.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ODESSA, TX US, TYLER, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Odessa | Tyler |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 107,718 |
| Median household income | $73,030 | $65,527 |
| Median age | 31 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 20.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.86 |
Households in Tyler earn about 1.9% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tyler MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 12,210 | $37,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,080 | $38,150 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,660 | $71,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,430 | $26,300 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,210 | $30,020 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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 Tyler average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Tyler?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 450 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Tyler, TX from Odessa, TX?
The driving distance is 450 mi and the route typically takes 7h 48m via I 20 and US 69. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Tyler more expensive than Odessa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tyler is 1.9% lower than Odessa (92.156 vs 93.896, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Tyler compared to Odessa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $251,563 in Tyler vs $251,239 in Odessa β a 0.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Tyler compare to Odessa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,080 in the Tyler MSA vs $45,830 in the Odessa MSA, on total employment of 111,520 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 Tyler?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,527 in Tyler vs $73,030 in Odessa β a 10.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Odessa.
City profiles: Odessa, TX Β· Tyler, TX.