Performance
Score Breakdown
Owasso
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Owasso is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
10% lower compared to Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Owasso's average rent is
13% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Owasso | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,214 | $1,400 | -13% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $200 | $236 | -15% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $250 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $2,164 | $2,406 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 37% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Aiken delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Owasso is estimated at
$48,560 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Owasso | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $41,807 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $48,560 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 44,476 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $79,036 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Owasso | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Aiken scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aiken leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Owasso | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 28.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Owasso is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Owasso is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aiken has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Owasso | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,211 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.54% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Owasso
Advantages
Owasso consistently ranks as one of the safest cities in Oklahoma, with low violent and property crime rates.
The city offers a high quality of life with a livability score of 78/100 and a strong sense of community.
Owasso's cost of living is approximately 6% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to live.
The local economy is growing, with a job growth rate of 3.3% in 2024, outperforming state and metro averages.
Owasso boasts highly-rated public schools, making it an attractive location for families.
Drawbacks
The city is highly car-dependent, with a low walkability score of 28 and limited public transportation options.
Rapid growth has led to some traffic congestion and construction challenges that are not yet fully accommodated.
Some residents express a desire for more diversity within the community.
Specific data on new business growth rates is not readily available.
Detailed cost breakdowns for utilities, food, and healthcare services are not consistently available for Owasso specifically.
Aiken
Advantages
The cost of living in Aiken is approximately 11% lower than the national average.
Aiken boasts a higher homeownership rate of 68.1% as of 2024.
The city offers a mild climate with ample opportunities for outdoor activities and a vibrant downtown.
Aiken County's unemployment rate of 3.4% in April 2026 is lower than the national average.
The average commute time of 24 minutes is considered manageable.
Drawbacks
Aiken's transportation system is largely car-dependent, with limited public transit options.
The city's safety index of 30 suggests a higher crime rate compared to national benchmarks.
Aiken County's poverty rate of 14.3% is higher than the national average of 12.5%.
While the downtown is walkable, the city overall has a lower walkability score due to car dependency.
Some utility costs are reported to be slightly higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Owasso
#5Oklahoma, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,214
Avg Salary
$41,807
Cost Index
94
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
28.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.54%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
78
Business
73
Aiken
#54South Carolina, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$65,884
Cost Index
89
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
72
Business
65
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