City Comparison
Lawton vs Jenks
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Jenks scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lawton
Jenks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lawton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Jenks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lawton's average rent is
37% lower than Jenks's.
| Metric | Lawton | Jenks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,500 | -37% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $130 | -15% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $240 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $2,465 | -26% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Jenks offers 24% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Jenks delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lawton is estimated at
$42,000 vs $55,000 in Jenks.
| Metric | Lawton | Jenks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,500 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,805 idx | 69,388 idx |
| Household Income | $54,200 | $98,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.4°F of each other.
For sunshine, Lawton comes out ahead with 18 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Jenks sees 3.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lawton | Jenks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.50°F | 62.10°F |
| Summer High | 90.10°F | 87.90°F |
| Winter Low | 32.20°F | 30.70°F |
| Rainfall | 36.20 in | 52.00 in |
| Snowfall | 3.90 in | 7.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 292 | 274 |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lawton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Jenks.
Lawton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Jenks leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lawton | Jenks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Walkability | 36.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lawton is the larger city
— approximately 3.5x the population of Jenks.
From a growth perspective, Jenks is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Jenks has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lawton | Jenks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,305 | 26,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 2.10% |
| Median Age | 32.5 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Jenks
Advantages
Jenks Public Schools consistently rank among the top-performing school districts in the state of Oklahoma.
Crime rates remain significantly below national and state averages, ensuring a safe community environment.
Proximity to the Arkansas River provides scenic parks, walking trails, and popular attractions like the Oklahoma Aquarium.
The historic downtown district offers unique boutique shopping, local dining, and frequent community events.
Robust median household incomes reflect a thriving local economy with strong career opportunities.
Drawbacks
Housing and rental costs are higher than the Oklahoma state average due to high suburban demand.
High car dependency limits practical alternative transportation options like public transit or walking for daily errands.
Traffic congestion can increase during peak commuting hours along main arteries leading into Tulsa.
Property taxes reflect the premium value placed on local infrastructure and school funding.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options within city limits compared to downtown Tulsa.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Jenks
#19Oklahoma, USA
73.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
274/yr
Avg Temp
62.10°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
82
Business
72
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