City Comparison
Bettendorf vs Owasso
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Owasso scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bettendorf
Owasso
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Owasso is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Bettendorf.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bettendorf's average rent is
11% higher than Owasso's.
| Metric | Bettendorf | Owasso | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,214 | +11% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $200 | -15% |
| Transport | $110 | $150 | -27% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,230 | $2,164 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bettendorf offers 63% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bettendorf delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bettendorf is estimated at
$52,000 vs $48,560 in Owasso.
| Metric | Bettendorf | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $41,807 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $48,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,913 idx | 44,476 idx |
| Household Income | $91,500 | $79,036 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bettendorf runs warmer on average — a 52.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bettendorf comes out ahead with 270 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bettendorf sees 20.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bettendorf | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bettendorf has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Owasso.
Bettendorf scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bettendorf leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bettendorf | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 28.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Owasso is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Bettendorf.
From a growth perspective, Owasso is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bettendorf has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bettendorf | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,200 | 44,211 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 2.54% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bettendorf
Advantages
Violent crime rate is significantly lower than the national average per FBI crime data.
Median household income of over $90,000 provides strong purchasing power relative to the local cost of living.
Top-ranked Bettendorf Community School District consistently scores high in state academic evaluations.
Extensive recreational trail system along the Mississippi River enhances daily outdoor lifestyle.
Proximity to the Quad Cities metro area offers big-city amenities with a small-town suburban feel.
Drawbacks
Property tax rates in Iowa are relatively high compared to national averages.
Car dependency is high, with limited public transit options for daily commuting.
Winters feature significant snowfall (20.5 inches annually) and cold temperatures requiring winterization.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options directly within city limits compared to larger metropolitan hubs.
Housing inventory for first-time buyers can be tight during peak real estate seasons.
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.
Bettendorf
#58Iowa, USA
70.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
52.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
79
Business
70
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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