City Comparison
Mountain Home vs Owasso
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Owasso scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mountain Home
Owasso
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mountain Home is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Owasso.
| Metric | Mountain Home | Owasso | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,214 | +3% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $200 | -13% |
| Transport | $115 | $150 | -23% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,150 | $2,164 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mountain Home offers 39% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Mountain Home delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Mountain Home is estimated at
$48,000 vs $48,560 in Owasso.
| Metric | Mountain Home | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $41,807 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $48,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 44,476 idx |
| Household Income | $59,500 | $79,036 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mountain Home runs warmer on average — a 55.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mountain Home comes out ahead with 296 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mountain Home sees 22.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mountain Home | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 29.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 15.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 296 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Mountain Home scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mountain Home leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mountain Home | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 28.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Owasso is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Mountain Home.
From a growth perspective, Owasso is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mountain Home has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mountain Home | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,000 | 44,211 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 2.54% |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mountain Home
Advantages
Significantly lower housing costs and overall cost of living compared to nearby Boise and the national average
Strong local economy anchored by the Mountain Home Air Force Base providing career stability
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities nearby, including fishing, boating at CJ Strike Reservoir, and mountain access
Low crime rates and a safe, family-friendly community atmosphere
Easy access to metropolitan amenities in Boise via a convenient drive on Interstate 84
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation infrastructure, resulting in high car dependency
Extreme summer high temperatures typical of the high desert climate
Fewer local entertainment, dining, and cultural options compared to larger cities
Economic reliance on the military installation can create unique housing market fluctuations
Limited local higher education institutions within the immediate city limits
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.
Mountain Home
#150Idaho, USA
65.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
296/yr
Avg Temp
55.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.80%
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
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