City Comparison
Polson vs Owasso
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Owasso scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Polson
Owasso
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Owasso is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
25% higher compared to Polson.
Housing costs are a major driver: Polson's average rent is
44% higher than Owasso's.
| Metric | Polson | Owasso | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,214 | +44% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $200 | -10% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,700 | $2,164 | +25% |
| Cost Index | 101 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Polson offers 55% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Polson delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Polson is estimated at
$55,000 vs $48,560 in Owasso.
| Metric | Polson | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $41,807 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $48,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,356 idx | 44,476 idx |
| Household Income | $53,418 | $79,036 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Polson runs warmer on average — a 48.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Polson comes out ahead with 248 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Polson sees 46.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Polson | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 23.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 46.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Polson scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Owasso leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Polson | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 27.0/10 | 28.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Owasso is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Polson.
From a growth perspective, Owasso is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Polson has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Polson | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,428 | 44,211 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.05% | 2.54% |
| Median Age | 43.0 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $61.9B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Polson
Advantages
Stunning natural beauty with proximity to Flathead Lake and outdoor recreational activities.
Growing economy supported by tourism, agriculture, and small-scale manufacturing.
Affordable cost of living compared to the national average, with housing costs on par.
Strong community spirit and family-friendly neighborhoods.
Montana's favorable tax environment with no state income tax.
Drawbacks
Car-dependent with limited public transportation options.
Housing market shows rapid rent acceleration and high median listing prices.
Weather can be unpredictable.
Poverty rate of 17.5% in 2024.
Job growth has seen a slight decline in recent years.
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.
Polson
#57Montana, USA
62.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
101
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
27.0/10
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
48.10°F
Pop. Growth
2.05%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
Owasso
#2Oklahoma, USA
75.0 / 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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