Is methadone better than oxycodone for chronic pain relief?

There is no answer: Concerning the pharmacologic treatment of pain, there really is not "better than" or "as good as". Both drugs are opioids and work by "binding" to opioid receptors in the brain. I do not personally use Methadone as it has a very high potential for adverse problems thus a low safety profile. Some opioid receptor binders are more affective than others in some individuals.

Perhaps: Methadone is some times hard to get just right. There is less tolerance effect. There is probably better relief of nerve type pain as well with methadone.

Possible: Methadone also has a longer half-life which means each pill can work for 6-12 hours versus oxycodone lasting 3-4 hours. Oxycontin however also lasts 8-12 hours. Agree with less tolerance and nerve pain. Methadone is also dirt cheap.