City Comparison
Ankeny vs Owasso
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Owasso scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ankeny
Owasso
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Owasso is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Ankeny.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ankeny's average rent is
19% higher than Owasso's.
| Metric | Ankeny | Owasso | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,214 | +19% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $170 | $200 | -15% |
| Transport | $110 | $150 | -27% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,380 | $2,164 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ankeny offers 70% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Ankeny delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Ankeny is estimated at
$52,000 vs $48,560 in Owasso.
| Metric | Ankeny | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $41,807 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $48,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,958 idx | 44,476 idx |
| Household Income | $98,500 | $79,036 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ankeny runs warmer on average — a 52.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ankeny comes out ahead with 271 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ankeny sees 23.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ankeny | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 271 | |
| Humidity | 67.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Ankeny scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Ankeny leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ankeny | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 28.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Ankeny is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Owasso.
From a growth perspective, Ankeny is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Ankeny has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Ankeny | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,200 | 44,211 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.50% | 2.54% |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ankeny
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Iowa with crime rates well below the national average per FBI data.
Exceptional public school system (Ankeny Community School District) attracting many families to the area.
Vibrant commercial hubs like The District at Prairie Trail offering diverse dining, shopping, and entertainment.
Rapid economic growth and low unemployment rate tied to a diverse regional job market.
Extensive parks and recreation network featuring over 100 miles of paved trails.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transportation options for non-drivers.
Rising housing costs and property taxes driven by rapid population growth.
Cold and snowy winter conditions with average winter lows dropping to 15.3°F.
Traffic congestion along major commuter corridors during peak morning and evening hours.
Limited nightlife options compared to the nearby urban center of Des Moines.
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.
Ankeny
#6Iowa, USA
77.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
271/yr
Avg Temp
52.10°F
Pop. Growth
3.50%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
84
Business
78
Owasso
#3Oklahoma, USA
78.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,214
Avg Salary
$41,807
Cost Index
94
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
28.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.54%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
78
Business
73
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