Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Broken Arrow, OK
VS
Carlsbad, CA
🏆 Carlsbad leads 12 of 23 categories
Broken Arrow
Oklahoma
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$82,547
Violent Crime Index
59
Population
114,237
Carlsbad
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$134,139 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
52 ✓ Safer
Population
114,745 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Broken Arrow, OK
Pros
Homes cost $860k less ($210,800 vs $1,070,500)
Rent averages $1294/mo less ($1,183 vs $2,477)
22% cheaper overall cost of living than Carlsbad
Violent crime is well below the national average (223.1 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (4.3%)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Carlsbad by $51,592/yr
Carlsbad, CA
Pros
Households earn $51,592 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (199.1 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 59.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 74°F vs 94°F
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 49°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,070,500
Higher rents — median is $2,477/mo
Cost of living runs 22% higher than Broken Arrow
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Broken Arrow
Cost of Living
22% cheaper
COL index 89.5 vs 111.5 (100 = US avg)
Broken Arrow
Median Home Value
$860k less
$210,800 vs $1,070,500
Broken Arrow
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
4.3% vs 6.0% unemployment
Broken Arrow
Summer Heat
19.3°F warmer
July avg high 93.5°F vs 74.2°F
Carlsbad
Median Income
$51,592
$134,139 vs $82,547/yr
Carlsbad
Violent Crime
11% lower
199.1 vs 223.1 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Carlsbad, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.5 ✓ Cheaper | 111.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $210,800 ✓ Lower | $1,070,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,183 ✓ Lower | $2,477⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $82,547 | $134,139 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.6 min ✓ Shorter | 28.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 9.2% | 24.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 58 ✓ Safer | 60 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 59 | 52 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 57 ✓ Safer | 72 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (97) | A- (110) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.4% | 59.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 94.2% | 95.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BROKEN ARROW | Carlsbad Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.9°F | 65.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 93.5°F ✓ Warmer | 74.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 42.7" | 11.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 8.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,237 | 114,745 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 42.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.5% ✓ Higher | 62.2% |
| Under 18 | 25.3% ✓ More | 22.8% |
| Over 65 | 15.1% | 17.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Broken Arrow's cost of living index is 89.5 vs Carlsbad's 111.5 (US average = 100).
Broken Arrow is 22% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Carlsbad leads 12 of 23 categories. Broken Arrow wins 11 and Carlsbad wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Broken Arrow to Carlsbad or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($210,800 vs $1,070,500 median home), income ($82,547 vs $134,139), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Broken Arrow, OK and Carlsbad, CA are about 1,237 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.