Performance
Score Breakdown
Billings
Owasso
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Billings is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
5% lower compared to Owasso.
Housing costs are a major driver: Billings's average rent is
14% higher than Owasso's.
| Metric | Billings | Owasso | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,390 | $1,214 | +14% |
| Groceries | $364 | $450 | -19% |
| Utilities | $306 | $200 | +53% |
| Transport | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,060 | $2,164 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Billings offers 63% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Billings delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Billings is estimated at
$71,000 vs $48,560 in Owasso.
| Metric | Billings | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,328 | $41,807 |
| Salary Needed | $71,000 | $48,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 71,924 idx | 44,476 idx |
| Household Income | $73,712 | $79,036 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Billings | 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
Billings has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Owasso.
Billings scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Billings leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Billings | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 35.0/10 | 28.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Billings is the larger city
— approximately 2.8x the population of Owasso.
From a growth perspective, Owasso is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Billings has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Billings | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 123,723 | 44,211 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 2.54% |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Billings
Advantages
Billings offers a relatively low cost of living, with an index of 95 compared to the U.S. average of 100.
The city boasts a strong and resilient economy, driven by key sectors like healthcare, energy, and agriculture, with a job growth rate of 1.35% (2023-2024).
Residents benefit from advanced healthcare services, including the Billings Clinic, recognized as the best hospital in Southeast Montana.
Billings provides abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, with access to the Yellowstone River, Rimrocks, and proximity to Yellowstone National Park.
The average commute time is short, around 16.5 minutes, contributing to a more relaxed daily rhythm.
Drawbacks
The city has a low Transit Score of 25 and a Walk Score of 35, indicating high car dependency and limited public transportation options.
Safety scores are relatively low (40/100), and residents report lower feelings of safety in downtown areas compared to other communities.
Some everyday expenses, such as groceries and transportation, are slightly higher than the national average.
Winters can be cold and snowy, requiring preparation for harsh weather conditions.
While the city has a bike score of 63, it does not have many dedicated bike lanes.
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.
Billings
#13Montana, USA
77.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,390
Avg Salary
$68,328
Cost Index
95
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
35.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
3.30%
Livability
77
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
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