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In West Texas, Ector County is home to Odessa, a major oil city. Established in 1887, it became synonymous with the Permian Basin oil boom, immortalized in Friday Night Lights. Odessa remains the economic and cultural hub, though the county is overwhelmingly urban-suburban in character today. Housing ranges from older mid-century neighborhoods to new subdivisions and higher-end homes on Odessa’s fringes. The nearest major city is Midland, just 20 miles east, forming the combined Midland–Odessa metro. Prices are higher than surrounding rural counties, with existing homes averaging $200,000–$330,000, though luxury properties climb higher. Land is scarce and expensive, averaging $15,000+ per acre near Odessa.