City Comparison
Yakima vs Owasso
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Owasso scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Yakima
Owasso
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Yakima is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
2% lower compared to Owasso.
| Metric | Yakima | Owasso | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,127 | $1,214 | -7% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $274 | $200 | +37% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $153 | $150 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,124 | $2,164 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Owasso offers 17% 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 Yakima is estimated at
$49,428 vs $48,560 in Owasso.
| Metric | Yakima | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,628 | $41,807 |
| Salary Needed | $49,428 | $48,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 33,949 idx | 44,476 idx |
| Household Income | $59,829 | $79,036 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Yakima | 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
Yakima has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Owasso.
Owasso 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 | Yakima | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 28.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Yakima is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Owasso.
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 | Yakima | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,769 | 44,211 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 2.54% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | |
| Unemployment | 5.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $13.3B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Yakima
Advantages
Yakima enjoys approximately 300 sunny days per year, making it one of Washington's sunniest major cities.
The cost of living in Yakima is notably affordable, with housing costs significantly lower than the national average.
The region is a world-class wine country with over 120 wineries, offering unique recreational and cultural experiences.
Residents have access to excellent outdoor recreation opportunities, including the Yakima River and nearby mountains, lakes, and trails.
The average commute time in Yakima County is shorter than the Washington state average, at 17.3 minutes.
Drawbacks
Yakima's overall crime rate is 22% higher than the national average, with violent crimes being 52% higher.
The nightlife and cultural scene can be limited, with many establishments closing early and less investment in arts compared to larger cities.
Public transit is not extensive, making car ownership almost essential for getting around the city effectively.
Some specialized medical care may require residents to travel to larger cities outside of Yakima.
Groceries and utilities are slightly more expensive than the national average.
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.
Yakima
#150Washington, USA
45.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,127
Avg Salary
$34,628
Cost Index
102
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.30%
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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