Same Oil Field, $80,000 Housing Gap: Midland vs Odessa Midland and Odessa are 7 miles apart. Both are Permian Basin oil towns. But the typical home in Midland costs $322,000. In Odessa? $240,000. That's an $80K gap for the same work in the same oil field. Midland is where executives live. Odessa is where workers live. Investment flows to Midland. Odessa stays affordable because it has to be. When the bust hits, Midland recovers. Odessa struggles. Comment your city and what you pay for housing. M