Performance
Score Breakdown
Columbia
Owasso
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Owasso is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
47% higher compared to Columbia.
Housing costs are a major driver: Columbia's average rent is
70% higher than Owasso's.
| Metric | Columbia | Owasso | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,069 | $1,214 | +70% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $295 | $200 | +48% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $3,184 | $2,164 | +47% |
| Cost Index | 130 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Columbia offers 68% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Columbia delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Columbia is estimated at
$85,000 vs $48,560 in Owasso.
| Metric | Columbia | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $70,370 | $41,807 |
| Salary Needed | $85,000 | $48,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,131 idx | 44,476 idx |
| Household Income | $131,490 | $79,036 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Columbia | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Owasso has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Columbia.
Columbia scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Columbia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Columbia | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 28.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Columbia is the larger city
— approximately 2.4x the population of Owasso.
From a growth perspective, Owasso is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Columbia has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Columbia | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,315 | 44,211 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.45% | 2.54% |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Columbia
Advantages
Columbia was ranked the 8th safest American city in 2024 by WalletHub.
The median household income in Columbia is $131,490 (2024), significantly higher than the national average.
The city boasts an extensive network of 94 miles of pathways and 3,600 acres of open space, promoting walkability and outdoor activities.
Columbia was named Maryland's 'Happiest City' for 2026 by WalletHub, reflecting high emotional and physical well-being.
Access to high-quality healthcare is provided by the Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center and other facilities.
Drawbacks
The overall cost of living in Columbia is 30% higher than the national average, primarily driven by high housing costs.
Housing expenses are 91% higher than the national average, making homeownership and renting expensive.
Columbia's overall crime rate is estimated to be 32% above the national average as of 2026, with a safety grade of C-.
Maryland's new business applications fell by 6% in 2024, indicating a slowdown in new business creation.
Major parkways like Snowden River Parkway and Broken Land Parkway experience fast-moving and congested traffic.
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.
Columbia
#5Maryland, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,069
Avg Salary
$70,370
Cost Index
130
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.45%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
82
Business
70
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
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