Performance
Score Breakdown
Zhaotong
Owasso
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Zhaotong is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
63% lower compared to Owasso.
Housing costs are a major driver: Zhaotong's average rent is
78% lower than Owasso's.
| Metric | Zhaotong | Owasso | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $273 | $1,214 | -78% |
| Groceries | $300 | $450 | -33% |
| Utilities | $80 | $200 | -60% |
| Transport | $50 | $150 | -67% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $150 | -33% |
| Monthly Total | $803 | $2,164 | -63% |
| Cost Index | 32 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Owasso offers 73% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Owasso delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Zhaotong is estimated at
$9,636 vs $48,560 in Owasso.
| Metric | Zhaotong | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $11,172 | $41,807 |
| Salary Needed | $9,636 | $48,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 34,913 idx | 44,476 idx |
| Household Income | $15,000 | $79,036 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Zhaotong | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Owasso has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Zhaotong.
Zhaotong scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Zhaotong leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Zhaotong | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 60.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 65.0/10 | 28.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Zhaotong is the larger city
— approximately 8.8x the population of Owasso.
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 | Zhaotong | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,000 | 44,211 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.09% | 2.54% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | |
| Unemployment | 5.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Zhaotong
Advantages
Very low cost of living, with average monthly expenses for an individual around $618.
Affordable rental market, with a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costing approximately $273 per month.
Rich agricultural sector, being China's largest high-quality apple production base in the south.
Extensive public bus network providing affordable city transit.
Generally safe environment for residents and travelers.
Drawbacks
Average salaries are significantly lower than national urban averages, with a median after-tax monthly salary of $931.
Lack of a metro or tram system, relying solely on buses for public transit.
Traffic congestion can be heavy on busy main roads.
Limited specific city-level data for various economic and demographic metrics, indicating less developed data infrastructure.
No direct data available for median age, making demographic analysis less complete.
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.
Zhaotong
#14Yunnan, China
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$273
Avg Salary
$11,172
Cost Index
32
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
60.0/10
Walkability
65.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.09%
Unemployment
5.50%
Livability
70
Business
60
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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