Moving from Richardson, TX to Odessa, TX
Moving from Richardson, TX to Odessa, TX covers 365 mi and about 6h 19m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
365 mi Β· 6h 19m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, TX 183 TEXPRESS, I 820 |
| Major cities en route | Garland, Mckinney, Allen, Plano, Frisco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richardson | Odessa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 93.896 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 82.86 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 89.709 | 100.0 |
Odessa is 8.9% cheaper than Richardson overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Odessa is 8.9% below Richardson β $440,400 vs $251,239 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Richardson -2.4%, Odessa +5.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richardson | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 12.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Richardson (65.8Β°F) and Odessa (64.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Odessa gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, ODESSA, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richardson | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,269 | 114,080 |
| Median household income | $96,257 | $73,030 |
| Median age | 34 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.54 |
Median household income in Odessa is 8.9% below Richardson ($96,257 vs $73,030, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Odessa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,160 | $44,240 |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 8,860 | $46,810 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 8,230 | $41,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 7,770 | $28,170 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 7,360 | $36,360 |
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 Odessa average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Odessa sees only 12.3 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 Richardson vs Odessa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,030 in Odessa vs $96,257 in Richardson β a 24.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Odessa compare to Richardson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,830 in the Odessa MSA vs $48,440 in the Richardson MSA, on total employment of 76,440 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Odessa compared to Richardson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $251,239 in Odessa vs $440,400 in Richardson β a 43.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Richardson to Odessa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 365 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Odessa more expensive than Richardson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Odessa is 8.9% lower than Richardson (93.896 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Odessa, TX from Richardson, TX?
The driving distance is 365 mi and the route typically takes 6h 19m via I 20 and TX 183 TEXPRESS. 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 Richardson.
City profiles: Richardson, TX Β· Odessa, TX.