City Comparison
Kenai vs Owasso
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Owasso scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kenai
Owasso
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Owasso is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Kenai.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kenai's average rent is
26% higher than Owasso's.
| Metric | Kenai | Owasso | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,525 | $1,214 | +26% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $180 | $200 | -10% |
| Transport | $130 | $150 | -13% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,495 | $2,164 | +15% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kenai offers 53% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kenai delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kenai is estimated at
$52,000 vs $48,560 in Owasso.
| Metric | Kenai | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $41,807 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $48,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,259 idx | 44,476 idx |
| Household Income | $87,083 | $79,036 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kenai runs warmer on average — a 39.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kenai comes out ahead with 229 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kenai sees 79.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kenai | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 39.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 60.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 16.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 79.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 229 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Kenai has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Owasso.
Kenai scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Kenai leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kenai | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 28.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Owasso is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Kenai.
From a growth perspective, Owasso is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kenai has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kenai | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,810 | 44,211 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.16% | 2.54% |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kenai
Advantages
Median home listing and rental prices remain significantly more affordable than major U.S. and Alaskan urban centers.
Proximity to world-class King and Silver Salmon fishing directly on the famed Kenai River.
Absence of state personal income tax and local municipal tax structures that favor residents.
Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities including hiking, wildlife viewing, and stunning Cook Inlet views.
Strong community safety profile with low violent crime rates and family-friendly neighborhoods.
Drawbacks
Remote geographic location leads to elevated shipping costs for goods, groceries, and specialized items.
Long, dark, and harsh winter weather conditions require preparation and adaptation.
Limited public mass transit options, making private vehicle ownership an absolute necessity.
Seasonal economic fluctuations driven by tourism and commercial fishing cycles.
Limited availability of niche retail shopping and specialized entertainment venues locally.
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.
Kenai
#218Alaska, USA
63.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,525
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
229/yr
Avg Temp
39.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.16%
Unemployment
3.70%
Livability
75
Business
67
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Kenai and Owasso.
Open Cost Calculator