City Comparison
Lawton vs Owasso
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Owasso scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lawton
Owasso
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lawton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Owasso.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lawton's average rent is
22% lower than Owasso's.
| Metric | Lawton | Owasso | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,214 | -22% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $200 | -15% |
| Transport | $110 | $150 | -27% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $2,164 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lawton offers 23% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lawton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lawton is estimated at
$42,000 vs $48,560 in Owasso.
| Metric | Lawton | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,500 | $41,807 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $48,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,805 idx | 44,476 idx |
| Household Income | $54,200 | $79,036 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lawton runs warmer on average — a 64.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lawton comes out ahead with 292 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lawton sees 3.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lawton | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 90.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 32.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 36.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 292 | |
| 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 Owasso.
Lawton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lawton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lawton | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 36.0/100 | 28.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lawton is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of Owasso.
From a growth perspective, Owasso is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Lawton | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,305 | 44,211 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 2.54% |
| Median Age | 32.5 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.30% |
| 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.
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.
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
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
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