City Comparison
Arlington Heights vs Owasso
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Owasso scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Arlington Heights
Owasso
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Owasso is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Arlington Heights.
Housing costs are a major driver: Arlington Heights's average rent is
52% higher than Owasso's.
| Metric | Arlington Heights | Owasso | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $1,214 | +52% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $200 | -13% |
| Transport | $130 | $150 | -13% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,815 | $2,164 | +30% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Arlington Heights offers 87% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Arlington Heights delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Arlington Heights is estimated at
$62,000 vs $48,560 in Owasso.
| Metric | Arlington Heights | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $41,807 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $48,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,643 idx | 44,476 idx |
| Household Income | $105,845 | $79,036 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Arlington Heights runs warmer on average — a 50.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Arlington Heights comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Arlington Heights sees 27 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Arlington Heights | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 27.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Owasso has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Arlington Heights.
Arlington Heights scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Arlington Heights leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Arlington Heights | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 28.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Arlington Heights is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Owasso.
From a growth perspective, Owasso is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Arlington Heights has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Arlington Heights | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,101 | 44,211 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 2.54% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Arlington Heights
Advantages
Direct Metra train service to downtown Chicago provides an efficient commute for working professionals.
Consistently top-ranked public school districts draw many families to the area.
A vibrant, walkable downtown district featuring diverse dining, shopping, and the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre.
Exceptional public safety record with crime rates well below the national average.
An extensive local park district operating numerous neighborhood parks, pools, and community programs.
Drawbacks
Property taxes in Illinois and Arlington Heights are notably higher than the national average.
Housing inventory can be tight and competitive, driving up purchasing costs for single-family homes.
Winters are cold and snowy, requiring regular snow removal and winter preparedness.
Car dependency is moderate to high outside of the immediate downtown district.
Traffic congestion can be heavy during peak rush hours along major regional arteries like Route 14 and I-90.
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.
Arlington Heights
#158Illinois, USA
64.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
50.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
86
Business
75
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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