City Comparison
Muskogee vs Lawton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lawton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Muskogee
Lawton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Muskogee is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Lawton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Muskogee's average rent is
11% lower than Lawton's.
| Metric | Muskogee | Lawton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $950 | -11% |
| Groceries | $360 | $380 | -5% |
| Utilities | $165 | $170 | -3% |
| Transport | $105 | $110 | -5% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $220 | -5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,690 | $1,830 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lawton offers 7% lower 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 Muskogee is estimated at
$42,000 vs $42,000 in Lawton.
| Metric | Muskogee | Lawton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $51,500 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 62,805 idx |
| Household Income | $45,500 | $54,200 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Lawton comes out ahead with 15 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Muskogee sees 6.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Muskogee | Lawton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.40°F | 64.50°F |
| Summer High | 87.20°F | 90.10°F |
| Winter Low | 31.50°F | 32.20°F |
| Rainfall | 48.40 in | 36.20 in |
| Snowfall | 10.00 in | 3.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 277 | 292 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 62.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Lawton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Muskogee leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Muskogee | Lawton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 36.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lawton is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Muskogee.
From a growth perspective, Lawton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lawton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Muskogee | Lawton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 36,878 | 90,305 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 32.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Muskogee
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the U.S. national average per Census and Zillow data.
Honor Heights Park hosts the nationally famous annual Azalea Festival, offering exceptional outdoor beauty.
Short average commute times provide residents with more daily free time compared to major metro areas.
Rich cultural and historical heritage rooted in Native American history and regional museums.
Port of Muskogee provides strong industrial logistics capabilities and regional employment opportunities.
Drawbacks
Property and violent crime rates are higher than the national average per FBI crime data.
Public transportation options are very limited, resulting in high car dependency.
Job growth rates lag behind high-growth metropolitan technology and finance hubs.
Fewer high-end dining and entertainment options compared to nearby Tulsa.
Humid subtropical summer conditions feature frequent high temperatures requiring sustained air conditioning use.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Muskogee
#502Oklahoma, USA
52.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
277/yr
Avg Temp
62.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
68
Business
60
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
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