Performance
Score Breakdown
Merthyr Tydfil
Owasso
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Merthyr Tydfil is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
14% lower compared to Owasso.
Housing costs are a major driver: Merthyr Tydfil's average rent is
38% lower than Owasso's.
| Metric | Merthyr Tydfil | Owasso | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $755 | $1,214 | -38% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $338 | $200 | +69% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $1,863 | $2,164 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Owasso offers 34% 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 Merthyr Tydfil is estimated at
$25,000 vs $48,560 in Owasso.
| Metric | Merthyr Tydfil | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $27,399 | $41,807 |
| Salary Needed | $25,000 | $48,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 30,443 idx | 44,476 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Merthyr Tydfil | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 86.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Owasso has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Merthyr Tydfil.
Merthyr Tydfil scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Merthyr Tydfil leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Merthyr Tydfil | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 28.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Merthyr Tydfil is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Owasso.
From a growth perspective, Owasso is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Merthyr Tydfil has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Merthyr Tydfil | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,972 | 44,211 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.07% | 2.54% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Merthyr Tydfil
Advantages
Merthyr Tydfil offers a significantly lower cost of living compared to the UK average, particularly in housing.
The town is situated on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, providing excellent access to outdoor recreational activities.
Merthyr Tydfil has a rich industrial heritage, offering a unique historical and cultural landscape.
The housing market is considered affordable for both renters and buyers, with competitive property prices and rents.
The tourism sector is experiencing significant growth, contributing to the local economy and job creation.
Drawbacks
Merthyr Tydfil has a higher crime rate than the UK national average, with specific areas experiencing higher incident levels.
Life expectancy in Merthyr Tydfil is lower than the Welsh average, and the region experiences high rates of mental illness and poor well-being.
A significant portion of the population has no formal qualifications, which can affect employment prospects and income levels.
The town faces challenges with deprivation in some areas, and has a higher proportion of older housing stock.
Public transport options are less extensive compared to larger urban centers, indicating a higher reliance on private vehicles.
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.
Merthyr Tydfil
#1Wales, UK
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$755
Avg Salary
$27,399
Cost Index
90
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.07%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
68
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Merthyr Tydfil and Owasso.
Open Cost Calculator