City Comparison
North Platte vs Owasso
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Owasso scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
North Platte
Owasso
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
North Platte is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Owasso.
Housing costs are a major driver: North Platte's average rent is
22% lower than Owasso's.
| Metric | North Platte | Owasso | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,214 | -22% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $200 | -15% |
| Transport | $110 | $150 | -27% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $150 | +40% |
| Monthly Total | $1,820 | $2,164 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
North Platte offers 29% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, North Platte delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in North Platte is estimated at
$45,000 vs $48,560 in Owasso.
| Metric | North Platte | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $41,807 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $48,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 44,476 idx |
| Household Income | $61,200 | $79,036 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
North Platte runs warmer on average — a 52.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, North Platte comes out ahead with 287 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — North Platte sees 11.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | North Platte | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 24.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 11.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 287 | |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
North Platte has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Owasso.
North Platte scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, North Platte leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | North Platte | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 28.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Owasso is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of North Platte.
From a growth perspective, Owasso is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, North Platte has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | North Platte | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,605 | 44,211 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 2.54% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
North Platte
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the U.S. national average per Census Bureau data.
Home to Union Pacific's Bailey Yard, providing robust and stable employment in transportation and logistics.
Exceptionally short average commute times under 18 minutes, reducing daily travel stress.
Access to quality regional healthcare anchored by Great Plains Health.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities nearby, including Lake Maloney State Recreation Area.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation infrastructure makes car ownership an absolute necessity.
Severe winter weather conditions and occasional heavy snowfall can impact travel.
Limited high-paying professional career options outside of healthcare, education, and rail transport.
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan cultural centers and large airports.
Limited dining, nightlife, and entertainment options compared to larger cities.
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.
North Platte
#103Nebraska, USA
67.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
287/yr
Avg Temp
52.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.80%
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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