Texas · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Odessa, TX

The median household in Odessa, TX earns $73,472 a year ($6,123/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,595/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $63,800 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 6.1% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$73,472$6,123 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,595HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)93.9-6.1% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential TX
Census Population115,322Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Odessa, TX

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,595Monthly market rent
Share of gross income26.1%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$63,800To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,837At 30% of $73,472
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Odessa, TX

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Odessa, TX MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Odessa, TX
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,245$14,940$49,80020.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,269$15,228$50,76020.7%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,595$19,140$63,80026.1%
3-Bedroom Home$1,912$22,944$76,48031.2%
4-Bedroom Home$2,213$26,556$88,52036.1%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Odessa, TX →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Odessa, TX

Based on the local median household income of $73,472/year ($6,123/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,061/moRent ($1,595 2-BR), utilities (~$143/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,837/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 93.9 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,225/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Texas

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Texas state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$73,472
$25,000$150,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$73,472
Net 82%
Fed 10%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$60,518After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,043Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,328Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$7,334 / yr
Texas state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,621 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Texas with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Odessa, TX

What is the median household income in Odessa, TX?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Odessa, TX is $73,472 per year (approximately $6,123 per month).

What is the average rent in Odessa, TX?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Odessa, TX are $1,245 for a studio, $1,269 for 1 bedroom, $1,595 for 2 bedrooms, $1,912 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,213 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Odessa, TX compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Odessa, TX is 93.9 (6.1% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Odessa, TX?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,595/month) in Odessa, TX requires a minimum gross household income of $63,800 per year ($5,317 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Odessa, TX?

For a typical household earning the median income of $73,472/year ($6,123/month) in Odessa, TX, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,061/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,837/month to discretionary spending, and $1,225/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Odessa, TX?

Residential electricity rates in Texas average 15.9¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $143 per month.