Performance
Score Breakdown
Thames
Owasso
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Owasso is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
23% higher compared to Thames.
Housing costs are a major driver: Thames's average rent is
36% higher than Owasso's.
| Metric | Thames | Owasso | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,656 | $1,214 | +36% |
| Groceries | $350 | $450 | -22% |
| Utilities | $325 | $200 | +63% |
| Transport | $90 | $150 | -40% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,671 | $2,164 | +23% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Thames offers 36% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Thames delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Thames is estimated at
$55,000 vs $48,560 in Owasso.
| Metric | Thames | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,880 | $41,807 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $48,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,874 idx | 44,476 idx |
| Household Income | $41,200 | $79,036 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Thames | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Thames has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,000 minutes (183 hours) per year compared to Owasso.
Thames scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Thames leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Thames | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 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
Owasso is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Thames.
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 | Thames | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,230 | 44,211 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 2.54% |
| Median Age | 54.9 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Thames
Advantages
Affordable cost of living compared to major New Zealand cities.
Rich gold mining history and a vibrant arts community.
Relatively safe environment with a lower crime rate than the national average.
Scenic location at the southwestern end of the Coromandel Peninsula.
Moderate car dependency and decent transit/walkability scores.
Drawbacks
Rising unemployment rate, reaching a decade-high in the Thames-Coromandel District.
High average house prices despite recent falls, making homeownership challenging.
Higher median age compared to the national average, potentially indicating an aging population.
Economic conditions can be challenging, with some industries declining.
Crime rate in the wider district has seen an increase.
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.
Thames
#1Waikato, New Zealand
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,656
Avg Salary
$56,880
Cost Index
95
Commute
min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
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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