City Comparison
Shawnee vs Owasso
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Owasso scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Shawnee
Owasso
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Owasso is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Shawnee.
Housing costs are a major driver: Shawnee's average rent is
19% higher than Owasso's.
| Metric | Shawnee | Owasso | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,214 | +19% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $200 | -13% |
| Transport | $115 | $150 | -23% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,400 | $2,164 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Shawnee offers 87% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Shawnee delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Shawnee is estimated at
$58,000 vs $48,560 in Owasso.
| Metric | Shawnee | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $41,807 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $48,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 79,592 idx | 44,476 idx |
| Household Income | $95,400 | $79,036 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Shawnee runs warmer on average — a 56.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Shawnee comes out ahead with 266 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Shawnee sees 17.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Shawnee | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 17.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Shawnee scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Shawnee leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Shawnee | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 28.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Shawnee is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Owasso.
From a growth perspective, Owasso is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Shawnee has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Shawnee | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,311 | 44,211 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 2.54% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Shawnee
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Kansas with crime rates well below the national average
Access to top-rated public school districts within Johnson County
Expansive green spaces anchored by Shawnee Mission Park, offering diverse outdoor recreation
Strong local economy and strategic location within the Kansas City metropolitan area
Active historic downtown area featuring local dining, shopping, and community events
Drawbacks
High demand has driven up housing and property values, impacting affordability
High level of car dependency with limited public mass transit options
Rising property tax rates across Johnson County affecting homeowners
Cold winter conditions with potential for snow and ice accumulations
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to central Kansas City
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.
Shawnee
#32Kansas, USA
71.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
82
Business
74
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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