Moving from South Fulton, GA to Odessa, TX
It is 1125 mi between South Fulton and Odessa — roughly 20h 4m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1125 mi · 20h 4m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| 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
| South Fulton | Odessa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.058 | 93.896 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.239 | 82.86 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.416 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.022 | 89.709 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.2% moving from South Fulton to Odessa — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: South Fulton —, Odessa +5.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | South Fulton | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.2" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 12.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 63.6°F vs 64.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Odessa sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ATLANTA HARTSFIELD INTL AP, GA US, ODESSA, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | South Fulton | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,157 | 114,080 |
| Median household income | $81,798 | $73,030 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.2% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.76 | 2.54 |
Households in Odessa earn about 6.2% less at the median — 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.
Moving between Georgia and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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 Odessa average 94°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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in South Fulton vs Odessa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,030 in Odessa vs $81,798 in South Fulton — a 10.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Odessa more expensive than South Fulton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Odessa is 6.2% lower than South Fulton (93.896 vs 100.058, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Odessa compare to South Fulton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,830 in the Odessa MSA vs $48,370 in the South Fulton MSA, on total employment of 76,440 and 2,817,660 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from South Fulton to Odessa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1125 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Odessa, TX from South Fulton, GA?
The driving distance is 1125 mi and the route typically takes 20h 4m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between South Fulton and Odessa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.4°F in Odessa vs 63.6°F in South Fulton (0.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 2.2 in. Annual precipitation: 12.3 in vs 50.4 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from South Fulton.
City profiles: South Fulton, GA · Odessa, TX.