Performance
Score Breakdown
Amherst
Owasso
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Amherst is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
3% lower compared to Owasso.
Housing costs are a major driver: Amherst's average rent is
14% lower than Owasso's.
| Metric | Amherst | Owasso | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $1,214 | -14% |
| Groceries | $344 | $450 | -24% |
| Utilities | $118 | $200 | -41% |
| Transport | $491 | $150 | +227% |
| Healthcare | $88 | $150 | -41% |
| Monthly Total | $2,091 | $2,164 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Owasso offers 32% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Owasso delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Amherst is estimated at
$35,000 vs $48,560 in Owasso.
| Metric | Amherst | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $28,448 | $41,807 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $48,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 40,640 idx | 44,476 idx |
| Household Income | $38,920 | $79,036 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Amherst | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Amherst has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Owasso.
Owasso scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Amherst leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Amherst | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 34.0/10 | 28.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Owasso is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Amherst.
From a growth perspective, Owasso is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Owasso has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Amherst | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,072 | 44,211 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 2.54% |
| Median Age | 46.2 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 6.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Amherst
Advantages
The cost of living in Amherst is 6% lower than the national average, making it a highly affordable place to reside.
Amherst serves as a strategic gateway community into Nova Scotia, offering excellent transportation links and proximity to New Brunswick.
Residents have access to comprehensive healthcare services at the 24/7 Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, which provides a wide range of specialties.
The town is considered a 'very walkable community' with various outdoor and indoor walking options available to residents.
Amherst has experienced a positive population growth rate of 1.8% year-over-year as of 2024, indicating a growing community.
Drawbacks
Amherst's crime rates are significantly higher, reported to be 154% above the Nova Scotia average.
Public transportation options are minimal, with only 0.4% of commuters using it, leading to a high reliance on personal vehicles.
The median household income in Amherst is $38,920 USD, which is lower than the Nova Scotia median household income of $49,950 USD.
With a median age of 46.2 years, the town has an older demographic profile, which may appeal less to younger populations seeking a vibrant youth culture.
Job growth in Nova Scotia, while positive, has slowed to 0.4% in 2025, potentially impacting local employment opportunities.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Amherst
#25Nova Scotia, Canada
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,050
Avg Salary
$28,448
Cost Index
70
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
34.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
6.30%
Livability
65
Business
60
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Amherst and Owasso.
Open Cost Calculator