City Comparison
Lawton vs Moore
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Moore scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lawton
Moore
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lawton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Moore.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lawton's average rent is
30% lower than Moore's.
| Metric | Lawton | Moore | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,350 | -30% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $240 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $2,260 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Moore offers 17% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Moore delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lawton is estimated at
$42,000 vs $52,000 in Moore.
| Metric | Lawton | Moore |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,500 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,805 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $54,200 | $76,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.5°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 — Moore sees 1.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lawton | Moore |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.50°F | 63.00°F |
| Summer High | 90.10°F | 88.60°F |
| Winter Low | 32.20°F | 31.20°F |
| Rainfall | 36.20 in | 37.30 in |
| Snowfall | 3.90 in | 5.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 292 | 274 |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lawton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Moore.
Moore scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Moore leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lawton | Moore |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 36.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lawton is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Moore.
From a growth perspective, Moore is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Moore has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lawton | Moore |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,305 | 62,888 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 32.5 | 35.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.50% |
| 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.
Moore
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates remain significantly below the US national average per Zillow data.
Proximity to Oklahoma City provides exceptional access to major employment hubs and cultural amenities.
Moore Public Schools are widely recognized as a top-tier district within the state of Oklahoma.
Abundant neighborhood parks and recreational facilities support an active, family-friendly lifestyle.
Low overall cost of living index makes the city highly attractive for first-time homebuyers.
Drawbacks
The region experiences a high frequency of severe weather events, including tornadoes, requiring robust storm preparedness.
Public transportation options are minimal, resulting in a high reliance on personal automobiles.
Traffic congestion along Interstate 35 during peak commuting hours can add time to daily travel.
Summer temperatures regularly reach high levels, necessitating increased energy costs for cooling.
Local nightlife and entertainment options within city limits are relatively limited compared to nearby urban centers.
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
Moore
#105Oklahoma, USA
67.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
274/yr
Avg Temp
63.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
75
Business
68
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Lawton and Moore.
Open Cost Calculator