Can OCI processing times vary between U.S. consulates?

There can definitely be different applicant experiences, but there are several variables besides the location.

For example, a straightforward OCI application based on a previous Indian passport may move differently from an application involving a recent naturalization, name change, minor applicant, spouse-based eligibility or additional document verification.

The official OCI FAQ also says that if there is a deficiency in the application or uploaded documents, the concerned Mission/Post can notify the applicant by email.

So if two people apply around the same time through different locations, their processing times aren't necessarily directly comparable.

I'd keep checking the official OCI status using the application ID and passport number. The official status-enquiry page provides those fields for tracking.

I wouldn't rely too heavily on consulate-by-consulate comparisons.

My OCI was processed through Houston and took about five weeks after acknowledgment. A friend applying through another Mission received theirs sooner, but their circumstances were slightly different.

The official OCI website currently says that registration normally takes about 30 days from online acknowledgment.

That's the benchmark I'd use rather than assuming one Mission always takes two weeks longer than another.

Also, make sure you're comparing the acknowledgment dates rather than VFS submission dates. The two dates can be different.

If an application has gone significantly beyond the normal timeframe, checking the official status page and contacting the relevant Mission may make more sense than comparing it with another applicant's timeline.

Yes, applicant experiences can differ between U.S. locations, although I wouldn't assume that every difference is caused by the consulate itself.

OCI applications submitted abroad are handled through the relevant Indian Mission/Post with jurisdiction over the applicant. The official OCI FAQ says that after document verification and confirmation that the application is in order, the Mission/Post acknowledges the application online.

So there can be differences in how quickly applications move through local verification or other processing stages.

My application was through a different U.S. Mission and took longer than the timeline someone posted from another city. Nothing was wrong with my documents; it just took longer.

I think the safest comparison is to look at your own acknowledgment date and current status rather than assuming another consulate's timeline applies to you.