Odessa, TX vs Ruston, LA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Odessa
77.5
#243 nationally
Ruston
72.3
#911 nationally
Odessa leads in median household income ($71,293 vs $32,877). Odessa leads in walk score (42 vs 25). Ruston leads in average commute (13.9 min vs 23 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Ruston, LA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.5 (#243) | 72.3 (#911) |
| Population | 115,743 | 22,233 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $253,740 | $229,937 |
| Median Household Income | $71,293 | $32,877 |
| Average Commute | 23 min | 13.9 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 25 |
| Crime Level | 8.7 | 11.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 98 | 95 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+52.9 | R+25.4 |
C+
77.5 Score
Odessa, TX
Mid-size Texas city with community character
Median Home
$253,740
Population
115,743
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
42
Southwest
View Odessa, TX →
C-
72.3 Score
Ruston, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$229,937
Population
22,233
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
25
Southeast
View Ruston, LA →