Performance
Score Breakdown
Fairbanks
Owasso
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Owasso is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
36% higher compared to Fairbanks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fairbanks's average rent is
21% higher than Owasso's.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Owasso | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,464 | $1,214 | +21% |
| Groceries | $550 | $450 | +22% |
| Utilities | $617 | $200 | +209% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $187 | $150 | +25% |
| Monthly Total | $2,938 | $2,164 | +36% |
| Cost Index | 123 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fairbanks offers 36% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fairbanks delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fairbanks is estimated at
$87,000 vs $48,560 in Owasso.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,940 | $41,807 |
| Salary Needed | $87,000 | $48,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,293 idx | 44,476 idx |
| Household Income | $73,534 | $79,036 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fairbanks has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Owasso.
Owasso scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Owasso leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 28.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Owasso is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Fairbanks.
From a growth perspective, Owasso is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Owasso has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,282 | 44,211 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 2.54% |
| Median Age | 29.0 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fairbanks
Advantages
Average rent in Fairbanks is 20% lower than the national average, making it more affordable for renters.
The housing market is a strong seller's market, with homes selling for 102.11% of the asking price in March 2026.
Job growth is forecasted at 0.8% for 2026, with significant growth in healthcare and transportation sectors.
Fairbanks offers unparalleled access to outdoor activities and a strong sense of community.
The median age of 29 years indicates a relatively young and dynamic population.
Drawbacks
The overall cost of living in Fairbanks is 23% higher than the national average.
Utility prices are significantly higher, approximately 112% above the national average.
Grocery prices are 23% higher than the national average.
The city's population is projected to decline by -0.59% annually.
Government jobs are forecasted to decline, impacting a significant employment sector.
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.
Fairbanks
#69Alaska, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,464
Avg Salary
$56,940
Cost Index
123
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
72
Business
65
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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