Livability Score

74
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities D

There are some amenities close to this location.
Coffee (3) F
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Entertainment (19) B
Ector Theatre
Theatre Arts
White-Pool House
Museum
Woodson Family Aquatic Center
Water Park
Parker House Ranching Heritage Museum
Museum
Globe Theatre of the Great Southwest
Theatre Arts
Club La Playa
Nightclub
Club Tequila
Nightclub
Uncle Bull's
Nightclub
Permian Playhouse
Theatre Arts
Sherwood Family Aquatic Center
Water Park
Ellen Noel Art Museum
Museum
Presidential Museum & JBS Leadership Library
Museum
Regal Permian Palace & IMAX
Cinema
George W. Bush Childhood Home
Museum
Food and Drink (64) F
Torchy's Tacos
Fast Food
Super Pollo
Fast Food
Stars
Fast Food
Dairy Queen
Fast Food
Bush's Chicken
Fast Food
Taco VIlla
Fast Food
McDonald's
Fast Food
Sonic
Fast Food
Whataburger
Fast Food
Burger King
Fast Food
Jumburrito
Fast Food
Taco Bell / KFC
Fast Food
Bush's Chicken
Fast Food
Taco Villa
Fast Food
Bush's
Fast Food
Sonic
Fast Food
Dairy Queen
Fast Food
Jumburrito
Fast Food
McDonald's
Fast Food
Subway
Fast Food
Jack in the Box
Fast Food
McDonald's
Fast Food
Whataburger
Fast Food
Dairy Queen
Fast Food
Domino's
Fast Food
Fitness (0) F
Groceries (9) F
La Tienda
Grocery Store
United Supermarkets
Grocery Store
Supermercado El Rancho
Grocery Store
Lowes Foods
Grocery Store
United Supermarkets
Grocery Store
H-E-B
Grocery Store
H-E-B
Grocery Store
Market Street
Grocery Store
Parks (60) A+
Noel Heritage Plaza
Park
Fredrick Douglas Park
Park
Progressive Park
Park
Juan Alarez Ramirez Park
Park
Crump Park
Park
Purple Sage Park
Park
Salinas Park
Park
Dan Hemphill Central Park
Park
O'Conner Park
Park
Woodson Park
Park
Southside Ball Field
Park
McKinney Park
Park
Royalty Park
Park
Comanche Trail West Park
Park
Floyd Gwin Park
Park
Comanche Trail South Park
Park
Buchannan Park
Park
San Jacinto Park
Park
Casa Bella Park
Park
Modern Gardeners Park
Park
Polythana South Park
Park
Polythana North Park
Park
Western Manor Park
Park
Bellaire Park
Park
Mark Henderson Park
Park
Shops (95) D-
Empire Barbershop
Hairdresser
DK
Convenience Store
Permian Pawn
Fashion
Ector Plaza
Mall
Stripes
Convenience Store
7-Eleven
Convenience Store
Rock Hill Village Shopping Center
Mall
Rock Hill Shopping Center
Mall
Dollar Tree
Discount Store
Live Oak Shopping Center
Mall
Villa Court Shopping Center
Mall
Uncles Convenience Store
Convenience Store
Vivian's Floral and Gifts
Florist
West County Plaza
Mall
Endgame Barbershop
Hairdresser
7-Eleven
Convenience Store
Dollar General
Discount Store
Kent Kwik
Convenience Store
Stripes
Convenience Store
Love's
Convenience Store
Kent Kwik
Convenience Store
Crestwood Shopping Center
Mall
Western Village Shopping Center
Mall
Broadmoor Shopping Center
Mall
Stripes
Convenience Store
See more Odessa amenity data

commute D+

Of all people who commute, 0.4% take public transportation in Odessa.
Public Transit Stops (1)
Stops & Stations
D-
Downtown Plaza
Bus Station
Workers Taking Public Transit
0.4%
F
See more Odessa commute data

cost of living A+

The cost of living in Odessa is 96/100 - which is 4% higher than Texas.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc.
B+
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax
A+
See more Odessa cost of living data

crime D-

Odessa crime rates are 2,588 per 100k, which is 5% lower than Texas
Property Crime
2,068 crimes per 100k
D+
Violent Crime
520 crimes per 100k
F
See more Odessa crime data

employment C

The median income in Odessa is $63,829 - which is 17% higher than Texas.
Med. Household Income
$63,829
C-
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
F
See more Odessa employment data

health A+

There are some hospitals, police and fire stations.
Health & Safety (41)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc.
A+
Odessa Police Department
Police
Medical Center Hospital
Hospital
H-E-B Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Complete Care Cardiology Naidu Plaza
Doctor
Golder Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Odessa Regional Medical Center
Hospital
David S. Libson
Doctor
Odessa Regional Medical Center South Campus
Hospital
Alfonso I. Gonzalez M.D.
Doctor
Central Fire Station
Fire Station
CVS Pharmacy
Pharmacy
MCH Family Health Clinic
Clinic
Walgreens
Pharmacy
Station 2
Fire Station
CVS Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Ector County Law Enforcement Center
Police
Station 4
Fire Station
Station 7
Fire Station
First Physicians Westview Medical Clinic
Clinic
Walgreens
Pharmacy
First Physicians East University Family Medicine
Doctor
Station 6
Fire Station
Walmart Pharmacy
Pharmacy
H-E-B Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Complete Care West Loop
Clinic
Air Quality
Median Air Quality
A+
See more Odessa health & safety data

housing A+

Odessa home prices are $159,700 - which is 12% higher than Texas
Home Price
$159,700
C-
Home Appreciation Rate
22%
A+
Home Affordability
2.5x (home price to income ratio)
A+
See more Odessa housing data

schools F

The Odessa graduation rate is 72% - which is 8% lower than Texas
School Test Scores
35%
F
High School Grad. Rates
72%
D-
Elementary Schools (46) C-
Austin Montessori Magnet
El Magnet At Milam El
Lamar Early Ee-Kg
El Magnet At Blackshear
Ector Middle
El Magnet At Travis
El Magnet At Zavala
St Marys Central Catholic School
Kiddie Kollege Preschool
St Johns Episcopal School
Bowie Middle
Dowling El
El Magnet At Hays
Gale Pond Alamo El
San Jacinto El
Cameron Dual Language Magnet
Montessori Mastery School Of Odessa
Bonham Middle
Odessa Christian School
El Magnet At Reagan El
Pease El
Sam Houston El
Crockett Middle
Harmony Science Academy - Odessa
Gonzales El
High Schools (11) F
Odessa H S
Odessa Career And Technical Early College H S
George H W Bush New Tech Odessa
Montessori Mastery School Of Odessa
Richard Milburn Academy Odessa
Permian H S
Sherwood Christian Academy
Ecisd Falcon Early College H S
Utpb Stem Academy
See more Odessa education data

ratings F

Odessa has an overall rating of 45% from 10 reviews.
User Reviews (5)
From AreaVibes
F
User Surveys (5)
From AreaVibes
B
See more Odessa user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings
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Odessa Reviews

Write a review about Odessa Tell people what you like or don't like about Odessa…
Dirty Industrial City. Miserable at best. 0.5 rating By Anonymous ( Jan 27, 2019) There is nothing redeeming about about Odessa Texas. It is a dirty industrial city. Quality housing is limited and costly. Crime rate is horrendous. Air quality is poor, H2S odor is prevalent most days. Among the worst drivers I have ever experienced. Cost of living depropatant ...Read More to quality of life. Nothing aesthetically pleasing. My wife and moved here 4 years ago and are searching for anywhere else to relocate to. Read Less
Odessa Oil Boom or Doom 2.5 rating By Anonymous ( Jan 13, 2015) I have lived in Odessa for quite a few years. I have to say besides being the location of Friday Night Lights I could not wait to get out of there. If Texas had an armpit Odessa would be it. The south side of Odessa has always had a high crime rate and being the bad part of town ...Read More for as long as I can remember. It was a part of town that was on the wrong side of the tracks, you did not go there unless you were looking for trouble. The east side of town used to be a safer area. However with the highest crime rate, I have ever seen in my life there really is not any part of Odessa that is safe anymore. The western side of Odessa is primarily trailer parks and the area's highest hispanic population. Last year Odessa was listed in Time magazine as having the highest crime rate in the USA. 1 out of every 94 residents is a crime victim.

As far as a sense of community Odessa the born and raised residents are extremely friendly. This is a place where manners still matter and neighbors will help each other in a time of need. As far as the public school system, there are a few good schools in the area. However the majority of the schools are behind the schools in other communities. The health care system in Odessa is below par, there is a very limited selection of good medical doctors. I have known several people who have gone in for minor surgery at the hospital and died. The hospital always uses the same excuse, they were allergic to the anesthesia. If I needed any medical treatment I would take my chances on trying to get to Dallas. Read Less
no parking in yard causing major issues 0.5 rating By shine ( Mar 07, 2014) WE LIVE IN AN OLDER NEIGHBORHOOD WE ARE A 2 CAR FAMILY AND WE HAVE ONE PAVED PARKING LOT ONLY ...LAST WEEK OUR CAR GOT HIT WHILE ONE OF OUR CARS WAS PARKED IN THE STREET .... A NEIGHBOR ALSO GOT THEIR CAR HIT ......NOW WE WILL RUSH TO GET ANOTHER DRIVEWAY THAT WILL COST US $ 200 ...Read More 0.00 OF WHICH WE CAN'T AFFORD ITS EITHER GET THE DRIVEWAY OR GET A 2000.00 FINE SO WE DON'T CONTINUE TO GET OUR CARS DAMAGED ........NOT HAPPY WITH THE CITY OF ODESSA ..... I WOULD RATHER LIVE SOMEWHERE ELES WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE RULES THAT ARE A INCOVENIENCE TO PEOPLE WHO WORK HARD AND OWN THEIR OWN HOMES Read Less
Terrible place to raise a family 0.5 rating By Swaeg5 ( Oct 03, 2013) I have lived here for 21 years and I have never been more ready to leave! Since the oil boom Odessa has brought in the dregs of society. The crime is horrible, traffic is horrible, housing is horrible, and most of the schools are horrible. The traffic fatalities are outrageous! T ...Read More he streets aren't designed to have so many on the road. It's very over populated! Families are living in tents and hotels because there isn't enough housing/apartments. The schools are having to turn students away because they are over ran. Fortunately my kids go to Reagan Magnet school which has the highest rating of any school in the Permian Basin. It's a fantastic school with a fantastic staff! This has been the only thing that's held us back from leaving Odessa.
Thugs, vandals, and druggies are everywhere here. My house has been broken into 3 times, my car has been broken into and burglarized, my car window has been shot with a BB twice, and my husband was almost mugged yesterday and we live in the safer part of Odessa. This town is ugly and there's nothing to do here. You can't water your lawn when you want because of the drought. The weather is bi-polar and the mall is a flea market! You can't go to Walmart without standing in line for at least 45 mins. Plan on being there for a good 1.5 hrs.
Odessa hasn't always been like this and it's very sad to see it go down! The locals who have been here for 10+ years are some great people and super friendly. Unfortunately, all of this is driving us out of here. I would not recommend raising your kids here or any other town around here. If possible stay away from Odessa at least until the oil boom is down. Which is said to be here for at least 10 years and we are at the beginning of the boom. Read Less
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no parking in yard causing major issues 0.5 rating By shine ( Mar 07, 2014) WE LIVE IN AN OLDER NEIGHBORHOOD WE ARE A 2 CAR FAMILY AND WE HAVE ONE PAVED PARKING LOT ONLY ...LAST WEEK OUR CAR GOT HIT WHILE ONE OF OUR CARS WAS PARKED IN THE STREET .... A NEIGHBOR ALSO GOT THEIR CAR HIT ......NOW WE WILL RUSH TO GET ANOTHER DRIVEWAY THAT WILL COST US $ 200 ...Read More 0.00 OF WHICH WE CAN'T AFFORD ITS EITHER GET THE DRIVEWAY OR GET A 2000.00 FINE SO WE DON'T CONTINUE TO GET OUR CARS DAMAGED ........NOT HAPPY WITH THE CITY OF ODESSA ..... I WOULD RATHER LIVE SOMEWHERE ELES WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE RULES THAT ARE A INCOVENIENCE TO PEOPLE WHO WORK HARD AND OWN THEIR OWN HOMES Read Less
Terrible place to raise a family 0.5 rating By Swaeg5 ( Oct 03, 2013) I have lived here for 21 years and I have never been more ready to leave! Since the oil boom Odessa has brought in the dregs of society. The crime is horrible, traffic is horrible, housing is horrible, and most of the schools are horrible. The traffic fatalities are outrageous! T ...Read More he streets aren't designed to have so many on the road. It's very over populated! Families are living in tents and hotels because there isn't enough housing/apartments. The schools are having to turn students away because they are over ran. Fortunately my kids go to Reagan Magnet school which has the highest rating of any school in the Permian Basin. It's a fantastic school with a fantastic staff! This has been the only thing that's held us back from leaving Odessa.
Thugs, vandals, and druggies are everywhere here. My house has been broken into 3 times, my car has been broken into and burglarized, my car window has been shot with a BB twice, and my husband was almost mugged yesterday and we live in the safer part of Odessa. This town is ugly and there's nothing to do here. You can't water your lawn when you want because of the drought. The weather is bi-polar and the mall is a flea market! You can't go to Walmart without standing in line for at least 45 mins. Plan on being there for a good 1.5 hrs.
Odessa hasn't always been like this and it's very sad to see it go down! The locals who have been here for 10+ years are some great people and super friendly. Unfortunately, all of this is driving us out of here. I would not recommend raising your kids here or any other town around here. If possible stay away from Odessa at least until the oil boom is down. Which is said to be here for at least 10 years and we are at the beginning of the boom. Read Less
Odessa,TX: Home of the Odessa Broncos! 4.5 rating By Anonymous ( Jul 06, 2010) I visited Odessa, Texas in January of 2008. My mother grew up in this city, so it was fun to see the places she used to hang out. In Odessa, I was comfortable right away, because of how friendly everybody was. Even though it was January, I found the weather not to be too cold. I ...Read More also noticed that the weather changes frequently. One minute it can be 80 degrees, the next it can be below six degrees. We went to see the Permian Basin String Quartet at the Ector Theater, and I was impressed. I also visited Ratliff Stadium, and watched a football game! The Odessa Broncos won! I found out that this stadium happens to be one of the largest in the country.

I went and ate at a couple different restaurants in Odessa but didn't find any to be really tasty. They have some Restaurant chains that are located in every other city. I also noticed that there isn't too much of a nightlife. Everybody said that if you want to enjoy really cool clubs in Texas you have to drive to Dallas. Overall, Odessa seemed to be a beautiful, old-fashioned country city. Read Less

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Compare Odessa, TX Livability

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      Odessa, TX

      Odessa, Texas, was made famous on the silver screen when the hit film Saturday Night Lights highlighted one of the city's local high school football teams. As presented on the show, Odessa's lifeblood is oil, and the city is a boomtown when oil prices are high. Odessa is located in Texas' Permian Basin, and it is one of the biggest towns in the west Texas desert. The city can trace its roots back to the 1880s when it was established due to the water reserves that were found deep underground. With a population of over 115,000, Odessa is a community that offers shopping, entertainment, and good dining options.

      People who are looking to rent or buy a home in Odessa will enjoy affordable home prices. The cost of living in Odessa is low when compared with other cities in Texas, and residents are able to shop at the Wal-Mart and other large stores in town. Traffic is not an issue in Odessa, and drivers will be able to plan their trip from point to point without having to worry about potential delays due to traffic. Interstate 20 is the main freeway that connects Odessa with other cities in the state.

      One of the most interesting sights in West Texas is located in Odessa. On the campus of the city's college, you will find a Stonehenge Replica that was built with rocks that were found in the local area. While it may not be as famous as its cousin in England, it is still a pretty cool sight to see. The Odessa Meteor Crater is another location that is worth checking out since it is not everyday that you can see an area of the earth that was impacted by a celestial object 50,000 years ago. Families enjoy spending time at Comanche Trail South Park with its fishing pond and disc golf course. While the summer days are no joke due to the extreme temperatures, you can get out at dusk when the temperatures start to drop to enjoy the area's desert beauty.

      Those looking to buy or rent a home may want to look for homes along Rocky Lane Road or Warfield. These are two of the nicer areas of the city, and the homes in these areas of town are absolutely stunning. Public transit does not really exist as an option for commuting in Odessa, and most of the town's residents rely on their own private vehicle to get around town. Saulsbury and Haliburton are two of the areas top employers, and they provide job opportunities to over 5,000 of the town's residents. If you are looking to take advantage of low-cost living, Odessa is an option.

      D Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Odessa? Yes, there are some amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Noel Heritage Plaza
      Fredrick Douglas Park
      Progressive Park
      Juan Alarez Ramirez Park
      Crump Park
      Purple Sage Park
      Salinas Park
      Dan Hemphill Central Park

      Entertainment

      Ector Theatre
      White-Pool House
      Woodson Family Aquatic Center
      Parker House Ranching Heritage Museum
      Globe Theatre of the Great Southwest
      Club La Playa
      Club Tequila
      Uncle Bull's

      Food & Drink

      Torchy's Tacos
      Super Pollo
      Stars
      Dairy Queen
      Bush's Chicken
      Taco VIlla
      McDonald's
      Sonic

      F Commute

      Is public transit available in Odessa? Of all people who commute, 0.4% take public transportation in Odessa.
      Drive to Work
      82%

      6% higher than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      0%

      5% lower than the US average

      Walk to Work
      2%

      1% lower than the US average

      A+ Health & Safety

      Is Odessa a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are many hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      Medical Center Hospital
      Odessa Regional Medical Center
      Odessa Regional Medical Center South Campus

      Pharmacies

      Walgreens
      CVS Pharmacy
      Golder Pharmacy
      H-E-B Pharmacy
      CVS Pharmacy
      CVS Pharmacy
      H-E-B Pharmacy
      Walgreens

      Doctors

      David S. Libson
      First Physicians East University Family Medicine
      Complete Care Cardiology Naidu Plaza
      Alfonso I. Gonzalez M.D.