Oklahoma City, OK, and Northwest Harris, TX, offer vastly different experiences. From cultural and economic factors to climate and overall standard of living, the differences are stark. Both offer unique advantages and perhaps some drawbacks depending on your requirements.
When comparing crime rates, Oklahoma City has a higher overall crime rate than Northwest Harris. However, in both places, the emphasis on neighborhood watches and community safety initiatives has increased remarkably. For tourists, both cities are generally safe, but like in any city, it's advisable to take standard precautions and be aware of your surroundings.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Oklahoma City is generally lower than in Northwest Harris. This is reflected in essentials like housing, utilities, groceries, and transport. For someone considering relocation, this disparity can factor in your decision-making, depending on your lifestyle and financial situation.
Income Tax
Oklahoma imposes an income tax on its residents with several brackets based on income level, while Texas, where Northwest Harris is located, has no state income tax. This is an important factor for those who are considering moving for work or retirement.
Property Tax
Property tax rates in Oklahoma City are lower, with a average rate of around 0.87%, compared to Northwest Harris' average rate of approximately 2.09%. This is a critical factor in the decision-making process for potential homeowners.
Sales Tax
Oklahoma City has a combined state, county and city sales tax rate of 8.625% while Northwest Harris stands at 6.25% at a state and county level. This is important to consider for both tourists and potential residents as it affects the overall cost of living and tourism expenses.
Income
Type
Oklahoma City
Northwest Harris
Estimated median household income
$59,214
$91,482
Estimated per capita income
$31,630
$43,231
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
85.4
102.4
If you make $50,000 in Oklahoma City, you will have to make $59,953 in Northwest Harris to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Oklahoma City is located in the Great Plains region, characterized by flat terrain with occasional hills. Northwest Harris is located on the Gulf Coastal Plain, and has an abundance of water bodies, parks and green spaces.
Geographical information
Type
Oklahoma City
Northwest Harris
Land area
607 sq. miles
437.4 sq. miles
Population density
1,133 people per sq. mile
1,061.5 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Oklahoma City, OK Northwest Harris, TX
Education
Both Oklahoma City and Northwest Harris have strong education systems with a variety of public and private schooling options. However, Oklahoma City has a larger number of universities and colleges compared to Northwest Harris, which offers more opportunities for higher education.
Oklahoma City's economy is heavily influenced by the oil, natural gas and livestock industries, while Northwest Harris has a dynamic and robust economy with a mix of energy, aeronautics and health services. Employment opportunities are plentiful in both cities but vary significantly based on these dominant industries.
Biggest Employers
The state government is among the biggest employers in Oklahoma City. Northwest Harris has several large employers, including the Cypress Fairbanks ISD, the Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, and various retail outlets and service providers.
In Oklahoma City (Oklahoma County), 41.7% voted for Democrats and 58.3% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Northwest Harris (Harris County), 49.4% voted for Democrats and 49.3% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Oklahoma City
Northwest Harris
Oklahoma City
Northwest Harris
Oklahoma City
Northwest Harris
2020
48.1%
56.0%
49.2%
42.7%
2.7%
1.3%
2016
41.2%
54.0%
51.7%
41.6%
7.1%
4.4%
2012
41.7%
49.4%
58.3%
49.3%
0.0%
1.3%
2008
41.6%
50.5%
58.4%
48.9%
0.0%
0.6%
2004
35.8%
44.6%
64.2%
54.9%
0.0%
0.5%
2000
36.6%
43.0%
62.3%
54.4%
1.1%
2.6%
1996
36.5%
45.2%
54.7%
49.2%
8.8%
5.6%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Oklahoma City
Northwest Harris
Oklahoma City
Northwest Harris
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
20.7%
14.2%
20.0%
26.8%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
8.5%
18.1%
3.0%
3.6%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.7%
1.0%
1.3%
1.4%
INTERNA PENTECO HOLINESS CHURCH
0.7%
0.0%
2.9%
0.3%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.5%
0.7%
1.0%
1.5%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.3%
1.5%
1.7%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.3%
0.0%
0.1%
0.1%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.3%
2.9%
0.6%
1.6%
Weather
Oklahoma City has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold, and summers are hot and often humid. Northwest Harris, on the other hand, experiences a subtropical climate, with mild winters and hot, humid summers.
Weather and climate
Type
Oklahoma City
Northwest Harris
Temperature - Average
60.1°F
68.7°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
73.1%
80.3%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
35%
37%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
85%
93%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
50%
56%
Precipitation - Yearly average
35.7 in
48.5 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
17.2 in
0.6 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
23.1%
15%
Sunshine amount - Average
72.1%
60.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
21%
24%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
79%
67%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
58%
43%
Wind speed - Average
12.3 mph
8.1 mph
Average climate in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Average climate in Northwest Harris, Texas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Oklahoma City
Northwest Harris
Oklahoma City
Northwest Harris
Oklahoma City
Northwest Harris
Oklahoma City
Northwest Harris
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
Northwest Harris
Oklahoma City
Northwest Harris
2018
85
95
0.29
N/A
6.6
5.1
31.9
23.5
0.002
N/A
21.3
N/A
9.6
8.7
0.0
N/A
2017
82
94
0.32
N/A
6.7
4.7
33.0
25.2
0.002
N/A
20.7
N/A
8.9
8.5
0.0
0.5
2016
72
93
0.29
N/A
6.6
5.7
31.9
23.7
0.002
N/A
19.4
N/A
8.5
8.5
0.2
0.4
2015
76
100
0.24
N/A
7.0
6.1
31.5
23.1
0.002
N/A
19.1
N/A
7.8
9.3
0.5
0.1
2014
84
88
0.15
0.28
7.1
6.7
32.4
22.3
0.002
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.7
9.6
0.1
0.1
2013
84
104
0.14
0.29
8.6
6.6
32.8
23.7
0.002
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.3
10.3
0.2
0.1
2012
97
107
0.13
0.30
9.4
7.1
34.0
24.8
0.007
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.9
10.6
0.3
0.2
2011
107
115
0.24
0.32
9.9
6.8
36.3
27.0
0.003
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.9
11.3
0.8
0.6
2010
81
104
0.30
0.26
8.8
7.5
31.7
25.0
0.002
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.8
11.1
0.7
0.8
2009
82
114
0.52
0.27
8.1
6.8
31.9
25.1
0.002
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.2
11.0
0.7
0.9
2008
78
104
0.51
0.35
9.8
8.0
31.0
24.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.9
1.4
1.4
2007
81
123
0.44
0.37
10.2
9.1
29.4
23.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.0
2.0
1.7
2006
95
130
0.43
0.39
10.1
9.0
33.7
25.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.6
1.2
1.5
2005
88
132
0.38
0.42
11.6
9.7
31.0
25.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.3
1.3
2.6
2004
75
125
0.46
0.44
10.5
10.0
28.6
22.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.6
2.8
2003
87
144
0.42
0.62
10.9
10.8
30.8
23.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.4
2002
91
124
0.35
0.55
14.3
10.5
29.0
22.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.0
1.5
2001
87
148
0.69
0.44
13.1
12.0
31.0
22.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.8
2.0
2000
89
133
0.66
0.50
13.4
10.8
29.5
23.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.0
2.1
Natural disasters
Type
Oklahoma City
Northwest Harris
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
353.4%
179.3%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
938.9%
67.9%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
43%
32%
Transportation
Oklahoma City has a well-developed network of bus routes, and a modern streetcar system. Northwest Harris also boasts a comprehensive public transit system, serviced mainly by METRO with rail services and multiple bus routes. Both cities are very car-dependant with sprawling layouts.
Transport
Type
Oklahoma City
Northwest Harris
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
2
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Oklahoma City
Northwest Harris
Bicycle
0.2%
0.1%
Bus
0.3%
2.5%
Carpooled
8.6%
11.3%
Car alone
87.6%
81.5%
Taxicab
0.2%
0%
Walked
1.4%
0.8%
Average travel time to work
Type
Oklahoma City
Northwest Harris
Average
25.6 min
31.3 min
Real Estate
Real estate in Oklahoma City is generally affordable and the city itself is considered one of the top cities where you get more home for your money. Meanwhile, in Northwest Harris, homes are costlier reflecting the thriving economic conditions of the broader Houston area.
Neighborhoods
Both Oklahoma City and Northwest Harris have a good mix of diverse neighborhoods, catering to different lifestyle preferences. In Oklahoma City, you can find areas with a heavy emphasis on arts and culture, while in Northwest Harris, there are a plethora of quiet, family-friendly suburban spaces.
Houses and residents
Type
Oklahoma City
Northwest Harris
Houses
302,241
149,181
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.9
Houses occupied
275,285 (91.1%)
141,708 (95%)
Houses occupied by owners
164,470 (59.7%)
100,076 (70.6%)
Houses occupied by renters
110,815 (40.3%)
41,632 (29.4%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,241
$1,182
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$278,299
$300,799
Estimated median house or condo value
$190,900
$307,883
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.3
3.8
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.2
7.5
Renting percentage
40.3%
28.6%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
497.9
341.1
Household income disparities
44.3%
38.3%
Housing units without a mortgage
1,238 (1.2%)
15,158 (16.5%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
4,838 (4.7%)
105 (0.1%)
Housing units with a mortgage
100,798 (98.8%)
76,541 (83.5%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
123 (0.1%)
3,826 (4.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
5,921 (5.8%)
4,244 (4.6%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
3.1%
0.3%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
20,964
12,608
State government workers
17,132
7,312
Unpaid family workers
555
552
Industries and Occupations
In Oklahoma City, the main occupations surround the energy sector, supplemented by jobs in healthcare and education. Northwest Harris, on the other hand, has a dynamic job market with a strong presence in the healthcare, oil and gas industry, and retail trade.
Both cities have excellent health facilities. Oklahoma City offers a range of specialized hospitals and Northwest Harris, being part of the larger Houston metro area, has access to some of the best healthcare facilities in the country, including the renowned Texas Medical Center.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Oklahoma City
Northwest Harris
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Oklahoma City has been investing heavily in infrastructure, with diverse projects such as street revitalization and public park development. Northwest Harris also boasts well-developed infrastructure, particularly in terms of transportation, with well-maintained roads and public transit options.
Infrastructure
Type
Oklahoma City
Northwest Harris
TV stations
20
27
Culture and Food
Oklahoma City is known for its cowboy culture and classic American food. Northwest Harris offers a blend of Southern and Mexican cultures, visible in its foodie scene that ranges from Tex-Mex to seafood.
Sports Teams
Oklahoma City is home to the Thunder NBA team, offering high energy games for sports fans. While Northwest Harris does not have any major league teams, residents can easily access a diverse sports scene in nearby Houston, home to the Astros (MLB), Rockets (NBA), and Texans (NFL).
Oklahoma City, OK
Northwest Harris, TX
Oklahoma City, OK and 
Northwest Harris, TX : 394.9 miles
