Salary Needed to Live in Odessa as a Couple
A couple sharing expenses without children needs approximately $67,390/year to live comfortably in Odessa, TX, including 12% savings.
Direct Answer
A couple (no kids) needs about $67,390/year to live comfortably in Odessa, TX. The bare-minimum salary is $56,608/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 12% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $4,112.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,538/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,616/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$67,390
with 12% savings
Bare Minimum
$56,608
$4,717/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,538
21% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Couple in Odessa
| Expense | Odessa | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Apartment Rent | $1,176 | $1,641 | -28% |
| Groceries | $271 | $320 | -15% |
| Utilities | $198 | $225 | -12% |
| Transportation | $401 | $421 | -5% |
| Car Insurance | $185 | $223 | -17% |
| Health Insurance | $459 | $672 | -32% |
| Internet | $57 | $65 | -12% |
| Phone (x2) | $123 | $140 | -12% |
| Dining & Social | $396 | $450 | -12% |
| Entertainment | $158 | $180 | -12% |
| Personal Care (x2) | $114 | $130 | -12% |
| Total Monthly | $3,538 | $4,467 | -21% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,538
Target savings (12%):$574/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$4,112
Effective tax rate:25%
Gross annual salary needed:$67,390
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,176
1-2BR Apartment rent is 33% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
25%
Estimated federal plus TX state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
12%
$574/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
88/100
Odessa is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby south Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br apartment housing near $1,176/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $848/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone (x2).
- Use $56,608/year as the survival floor and $67,390/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Odessa
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a couple (no kids) need in Odessa?
A couple (no kids) needs approximately $67,390/year ($5,616/month gross) to live comfortably in Odessa with a 12% savings rate.
How much is rent for a couple (no kids) in Odessa?
A 1-2br apartment in Odessa costs approximately $1,176/month, which is the largest single expense at 33% of the total budget.
Is Odessa affordable for a couple (no kids)?
Yes, Odessa is 21% more affordable than the national average for a couple (no kids).