City Comparison
Owasso vs Tea
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Owasso scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Owasso
Tea
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Owasso is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Tea.
Housing costs are a major driver: Owasso's average rent is
10% lower than Tea's.
| Metric | Owasso | Tea | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,214 | $1,350 | -10% |
| Groceries | $450 | $410 | +10% |
| Utilities | $200 | $170 | +18% |
| Transport | $150 | $115 | +30% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $230 | -35% |
| Monthly Total | $2,164 | $2,275 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tea offers 35% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tea delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Owasso is estimated at
$48,560 vs $52,000 in Tea.
| Metric | Owasso | Tea |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $41,807 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,560 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 44,476 idx | 66,667 idx |
| Household Income | $79,036 | $88,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Tea runs warmer on average — a 49.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Tea comes out ahead with 269 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Tea sees 22.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Owasso | Tea |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 49.30°F |
| Summer High | °F | 81.80°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 10.40°F |
| Rainfall | in | 29.80 in |
| Snowfall | in | 22.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 269 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tea has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Owasso.
Tea scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tea leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Owasso | Tea |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 28.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 32.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Owasso is the larger city
— approximately 6.8x the population of Tea.
From a growth perspective, Tea is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Tea has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Owasso | Tea |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,211 | 6,500 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.54% | 4.50% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 2.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Tea
Advantages
Exceptional public safety with crime rates well below the national average per US Census and FBI reporting data
No state personal income tax in South Dakota, maximizing take-home pay
Rapid population and economic growth providing strong real estate appreciation opportunities per Zillow market trends
Proximity to Sioux Falls offering major employment centers and premier healthcare systems within a 15-minute drive
Highly rated local school district (Tea Area School District) known for strong academic and athletic programs
Drawbacks
High car dependency due to limited public transportation options within the city limits
Rigorous winter weather featuring sub-freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall events
Limited local entertainment and nightlife options within Tea proper, requiring trips to Sioux Falls
Rapidly rising home prices and rental rates driven by intense regional housing demand
Flat terrain with limited natural geographic variety or forested landscapes
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Tea
#4South Dakota, USA
78.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
269/yr
Avg Temp
49.30°F
Pop. Growth
4.50%
Unemployment
2.40%
Livability
80
Business
75
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