Performance
Score Breakdown
Benton
Owasso
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Benton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
15% lower compared to Owasso.
Housing costs are a major driver: Benton's average rent is
24% lower than Owasso's.
| Metric | Benton | Owasso | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $917 | $1,214 | -24% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $200 | -10% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $150 | +33% |
| Monthly Total | $1,847 | $2,164 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Benton offers 4% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Benton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Benton is estimated at
$55,000 vs $48,560 in Owasso.
| Metric | Benton | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $43,632 | $41,807 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $48,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 47,426 idx | 44,476 idx |
| Household Income | $72,876 | $79,036 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Benton | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Benton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Benton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Benton | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 28.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Owasso is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Benton.
From a growth perspective, Owasso is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Benton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Benton | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 36,595 | 44,211 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 2.54% |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Benton
Advantages
The cost of living in Benton is approximately 8% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Benton boasts a highly-rated school district, making it attractive for families.
The city has experienced significant economic growth, with Benton County seeing a 15.5% increase in average weekly wages in 2024.
Saline Memorial Hospital in Benton holds an 'A' safety grade and has received awards for cardiac care, indicating high-quality healthcare access.
Benton offers a small-town charm with convenient access to the amenities and employment opportunities of nearby Little Rock.
Drawbacks
Benton has a low Walk Score of 30/100 and is largely car-dependent, meaning most errands require a vehicle.
The city has a high flood risk in certain areas, potentially requiring mandatory flood insurance and higher utility costs.
Benton's violent crime rate of 414.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024 is 18% above the national average.
Public transit options are very limited, with only about 0.1% of residents using it for commuting.
Commutes to major job centers like Little Rock can take 30-45 minutes, which might be a drawback for some residents.
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.
Benton
#65Arkansas, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$917
Avg Salary
$43,632
Cost Index
92
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
66
Business
70
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 Benton and Owasso.
Open Cost Calculator