Performance
Score Breakdown
Starkville
Owasso
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Owasso is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
29% higher compared to Starkville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Starkville's average rent is
48% higher than Owasso's.
| Metric | Starkville | Owasso | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,214 | +48% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $200 | -10% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,800 | $2,164 | +29% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Starkville offers 55% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Starkville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Starkville is estimated at
$55,000 vs $48,560 in Owasso.
| Metric | Starkville | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $41,807 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $48,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 44,476 idx |
| Household Income | $42,125 | $79,036 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Starkville runs warmer on average — a 65.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Starkville comes out ahead with 248 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Starkville sees 2.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Starkville | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 37.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 49.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Owasso has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Starkville.
Starkville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Starkville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Starkville | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 29.0/10 | 28.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Owasso is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Starkville.
From a growth perspective, Owasso is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Owasso has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Starkville | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,753 | 44,211 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 2.54% |
| Median Age | 26.0 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 6.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Starkville
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with an index of 95, making it slightly less expensive than the national average.
Strong educational environment and cultural vibrancy driven by Mississippi State University.
Low violent crime rate, making it one of the safer cities in the nation in this regard.
Friendly community atmosphere and Southern hospitality, contributing to a welcoming environment.
Significant economic contribution from tourism, with nearly $200 million in visitor spending in 2024.
Drawbacks
High car dependency for most transportation needs, with a walkability score of 29.
Job market heavily reliant on the university and specific industries like education and manufacturing.
Limited public transportation options outside of university routes.
OCH Regional Medical Center has received mixed ratings, with an overall CMS rating of 2 out of 5 stars.
Median rent is approximately $1,800 per month, which can be a significant cost for some residents.
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.
Starkville
#28Mississippi, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
29.0/10
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
65.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
Owasso
#6Oklahoma, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,214
Avg Salary
$41,807
Cost Index
94
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
28.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.54%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
78
Business
73
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