Performance
Score Breakdown
Messina
Owasso
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Messina is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
38% lower compared to Owasso.
Housing costs are a major driver: Messina's average rent is
54% lower than Owasso's.
| Metric | Messina | Owasso | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $555 | $1,214 | -54% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $189 | $200 | -6% |
| Transport | $44 | $150 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,338 | $2,164 | -38% |
| Cost Index | 74 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Owasso offers 47% 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 Messina is estimated at
$16,512 vs $48,560 in Owasso.
| Metric | Messina | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $21,984 | $41,807 |
| Salary Needed | $16,512 | $48,560 |
| Purchasing Power | 29,708 idx | 44,476 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Messina | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Messina has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,000 minutes (183 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 | Messina | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 28.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Messina is the larger city
— approximately 4.9x 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 | Messina | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 215,849 | 44,211 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 2.54% |
| Median Age | 48.6 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 12.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Messina
Advantages
Messina's cost of living is 13.9% cheaper than Italy overall, making it a relatively affordable city.
The average price for residential rental properties in Messina increased by 7.68% in June 2026 compared to June 2025, indicating a growing rental market.
Tourism, hospitality, and restaurant sectors in Sicily are expected to absorb over 20,000 new workers between July and September 2026, suggesting job opportunities in these areas.
Messina's strategic location as a port city and gateway to mainland Italy provides significant trade and transport advantages.
The city benefits from substantial EU funding for port expansion, upgrades, and public transport, indicating ongoing investment in infrastructure.
Drawbacks
Messina's population is estimated to be declining, with a -0.49% annual decrease in 2026.
The regional unemployment rate in Sicily was 12.2% in 2025, which is higher than the national average of 6.1%.
The median after-tax salary in Messina is $1,832 per month, which may be challenging to cover living expenses for more than 1.5 months.
While tourism is growing, there are concerns about precarious work and labor law irregularities in the Sicilian hospitality sector.
The median age in Italy is 48.6 years, suggesting a potentially aging population in Messina, which could impact future workforce dynamics.
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.
Messina
#5Sicily, Italy
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$555
Avg Salary
$21,984
Cost Index
74
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
12.20%
Livability
72
Business
65
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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