Performance
Score Breakdown
Kalamazoo
Owasso
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kalamazoo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
4% lower compared to Owasso.
| Metric | Kalamazoo | Owasso | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,135 | $1,214 | -7% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $200 | -10% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,085 | $2,164 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kalamazoo offers 55% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kalamazoo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kalamazoo is estimated at
$55,000 vs $48,560 in Owasso.
| Metric | Kalamazoo | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $41,807 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $48,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,581 idx | 44,476 idx |
| Household Income | $52,272 | $79,036 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Kalamazoo | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 72.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Kalamazoo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Owasso.
Kalamazoo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Kalamazoo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kalamazoo | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 39.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 47.0/10 | 28.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kalamazoo is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Owasso.
From a growth perspective, Owasso is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kalamazoo has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kalamazoo | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,076 | 44,211 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 2.54% |
| Median Age | 26.9 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kalamazoo
Advantages
Kalamazoo offers a cost of living that is 14% lower than the national average, with housing costs being 37% lower.
The average commute time in Kalamazoo is 18.5 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average of 26.4 minutes.
Kalamazoo's downtown area is highly walkable, with a Walk Score of 85, allowing residents to access amenities on foot.
Recent data indicates a positive trend in safety, with violent crime rates showing significant drops in 2024 and reaching 10-year lows in 2025.
The city has a strong presence of major employers in healthcare, education, and manufacturing, providing a stable job market.
Drawbacks
Kalamazoo has a higher crime rate compared to national averages, with a violent crime rate of 1283.5 per 100,000 residents.
The median household income in Kalamazoo ($52,272 in 2024) is lower than the national average.
While improving, Kalamazoo's safety profile is still a concern, with some sources ranking it among the more dangerous small cities in Michigan.
Public transportation options are limited, primarily consisting of bus routes, and the city has a high car dependency.
The unemployment rate in Kalamazoo County was 4.1% in 2024, which is slightly above the national average of 4.198% (though very close).
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.
Kalamazoo
#117Michigan, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,135
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
86
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
39.0/10
Walkability
47.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
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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