CostIndexUSA

Modesto, CA vs Odessa, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Modesto
104.1
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Odessa
93.9
overall index
$1,550/mo rent

Odessa is moderately cheaper than Modesto — 9.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Modesto, you would need $72,200 in Odessa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing17.3%
Modesto
108.5
Odessa
89.7
🛒 Groceries10.8%
Modesto
105.2
Odessa
93.8
🚗 Transportation4.0%
Modesto
105.3
Odessa
101.1
🏥 Healthcare4.1%
Modesto
95.3
Odessa
91.4
Utilities45.6%
Modesto
152.3
Odessa
82.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Modesto to see what you'd need to earn in Odessa to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Odessa, TX
$72,200
$7,800 less needed in Odessa

Formula: salary × (93.9 ÷ 104.1) = salary × 0.9020. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Modesto, CA

Median Home Price
$457,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
108.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Odessa, TX

Median Home Price
$246,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
89.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.2×

Modesto has 17.3% lower housing costs compared to Odessa.

Income & Job Market

Modesto, CA

Median Household Income
$82,800
Per Capita Income
$47,200
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
Population
218,464
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailEducation

Odessa, TX

Median Household Income
$66,600
Per Capita Income
$38,000
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
Population
122,555
Top Industries
EnergyOil & GasHealthcareManufacturingRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Modesto, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Odessa, TX
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.