City Comparison
Duncan vs Lawton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Duncan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Duncan
Lawton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Duncan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Lawton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Duncan's average rent is
11% lower than Lawton's.
| Metric | Duncan | Lawton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $950 | -11% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $170 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,730 | $1,830 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Duncan offers 1% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Duncan delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Duncan is estimated at
$42,000 vs $42,000 in Lawton.
| Metric | Duncan | Lawton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $51,500 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,415 idx | 62,805 idx |
| Household Income | $54,200 | $54,200 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Duncan sees 0.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Duncan | Lawton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.50°F | 64.50°F |
| Summer High | 89.20°F | 90.10°F |
| Winter Low | 32.50°F | 32.20°F |
| Rainfall | 33.10 in | 36.20 in |
| Snowfall | 4.70 in | 3.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 289 | 292 |
| Humidity | 63.00% | 62.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Duncan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Duncan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Duncan | Lawton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 36.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lawton is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Duncan.
From a growth perspective, Lawton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Duncan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Duncan | Lawton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,692 | 90,305 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 32.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Duncan
Advantages
Median home prices in Duncan are significantly below the national average per recent housing data.
Short average commute times allow residents to avoid major traffic congestion.
Low overall cost of living index makes everyday expenses manageable.
Access to comprehensive local medical services via Duncan Regional Hospital.
Strong community engagement and family-friendly neighborhood atmospheres.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation infrastructure requires high car dependency.
Hot summer temperatures can lead to elevated seasonal utility cooling bills.
Narrower diversity of high-paying corporate tech or finance jobs locally.
Fewer high-end entertainment and nightlife options compared to major metros.
Local economic growth rate is modest relative to fast-growing Sun Belt cities.
Lawton
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living sit significantly below the U.S. national average per Census and Zillow data.
Proximity to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge offers world-class outdoor recreation, hiking, and wildlife viewing minutes from town.
Short average commute times of under 20 minutes reduce daily stress compared to major metropolitan areas.
Strong institutional economic stability anchored by Fort Sill and major regional healthcare providers.
Welcoming community atmosphere with rich Native American heritage and diverse cultural events.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure across the metropolitan area.
Local job market can be overly reliant on federal and military spending cycles.
Summers experience prolonged stretches of high temperatures exceeding 90°F.
Property crime rates in certain central urban districts require standard preventative awareness.
Limited high-end entertainment and nightlife options compared to larger Oklahoma cities like OKC or Tulsa.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Duncan
#134Oklahoma, USA
65.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
289/yr
Avg Temp
64.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
73
Business
65
Lawton
#259Oklahoma, USA
62.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$51,500
Cost Index
82
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
36.0/100
Sunny Days
292/yr
Avg Temp
64.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
72
Business
67
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Duncan and Lawton.
Open Cost Calculator