Performance
Score Breakdown
Paragould
Owasso
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Paragould is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
10% lower compared to Owasso.
Housing costs are a major driver: Paragould's average rent is
22% lower than Owasso's.
| Metric | Paragould | Owasso | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,214 | -22% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $200 | -10% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $1,950 | $2,164 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 74 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Owasso offers 2% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Paragould delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Paragould is estimated at
$66,000 vs $48,560 in Owasso.
| Metric | Paragould | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $41,176 | $41,807 |
| Salary Needed | $66,000 | $48,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,643 idx | 44,476 idx |
| Household Income | $56,980 | $79,036 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Paragould | 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
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Paragould scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Paragould leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Paragould | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 35.0/10 | 28.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Owasso is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Paragould.
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 | Paragould | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,135 | 44,211 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 2.54% |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.40% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Paragould
Advantages
Paragould's cost of living is 26% below the national average, making it highly affordable.
The city is experiencing significant growth, ranking among Arkansas's fastest-growing cities with a 1.2% annual population increase.
Residents have access to highly-rated school districts and a modern community center with an aquatic park.
The local economy shows strong employment growth, particularly in manufacturing and healthcare.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities are available, including state parks, hiking trails, and fishing lakes.
Drawbacks
Some healthcare quality metrics, such as pulmonary mortality at the main hospital, have been rated 'worse than expected'.
The city is highly car-dependent, with limited public transit options and an average commute time of 22.8 minutes.
While overall cost of living is low, certain utility costs for renters can be higher than the national average.
The median individual income is lower than the median household income, suggesting a need for dual-income households or careful budgeting for single earners.
Walkability and transit scores are likely low due to the car-centric nature of the city, limiting options for those without personal 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.
Paragould
#21Arkansas, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$41,176
Cost Index
74
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
35.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
74
Business
68
Owasso
#5Oklahoma, 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 Paragould and Owasso.
Open Cost Calculator