Interested in Living in Oklahoma City?

If you’re wanting to move to a big city that’s actually affordable (slow your roll, inflation!), then consider living in Oklahoma City. Sure, you may think of cowboys and prairies when you think of Oklahoma, but the largest city in the state has a lot more to offer — historical charm and a fantastic art and entertainment scene to keep you engaged with the community, for example. And because OKC is known for its affordable housing, transportation, and utility costs, that means you get more bang for your buck, whether you choose to buy or rent. It also has a thriving job market with good-paying jobs that will appeal to folks in all kinds of industries. But is Oklahoma City a good place to live? And, most importantly, is it the perfect place for you? Let’s find out a little more about what it’s like.

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Q: Is it good to live in Oklahoma City? A: Yes! Oklahoma City is a great place to live because it’s affordable, there’s plenty to do, and there are lots of beautiful neighborhoods (just to name a few of its perks).

Oklahoma City at a Glance

• OKC has a populaiton of just over 681,000
• It is the largest city in the state of Oklahoma
• In terms of land area, Oklahoma City is the third largest in the nation, and the metro area includes 10 counties.
• OKC was settled in 1889.
• The median age is 34.7
• Oklahoma City is home to Tinker Air Force Base, which is the second largest military air depot in the U.S.

20 Things To Know About Living in Oklahoma City

If you’re thinking about moving to Oklahoma City, you’re going to want to know what it’s like living in Oklahoma City. So here’s what we think you should know before you go — a highlight reel of sorts, including cost of living info and what we consider to be some of the best places to live in Oklahoma City. Let’s dive in!

1. New Residents Moving to Oklahoma City

Folks from all walks of life have moved to OKC and become an integral part of its communities. In fact, Oklahoma City is known for its friendly residents, giving this large city a lot of small-town charm. There’s especially a strong sense of community in the city’s neighborhoods, which is fostered by lots of events and festivals. Depending on where you’re coming from, you may be amazed at how easy it is to make connections! 

New residents quickly adapt to this relaxed lifestyle and love how easy it is to explore their new surroundings, whether that’s visiting nearby lakes and parks or enjoying a rodeo along with local BBQ food.

Q: Why is it so cheap to live in Oklahoma? A: Oklahoma has more affordable housing costs, lower gas prices, and lower population density than many other states in the U.S.

4. Salaries Needed To Live in OKC

You know how affordable it is living in Oklahoma City, but do you know what salary you’ll need to live comfortably? There are a lot of good jobs in the area (more on that later), but according to MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, a single adult without children should make at least $41,000 per year before taxes. That number increases to $57,000 for a couple (both working) without children and $100,000 for a family of four with two adults working.

5. Pros and Cons of Living in Oklahoma City

Pro: Affordable Housing

OKC is an affordable city, and the housing market is considered one of the most affordable around. This is surprising, considering Oklahoma City is the largest city in the state. However, it still manages to keep costs low, whether you’re looking to buy or rent. In fact, the average home value is just $205,300, while the average rent is $1,000 per month for a one-bedroom apartment.

Pro: Affordable Housing

Whether it’s getting outdoors and exploring Bluff Creek Park or walking the trails along Lake Hefner, you can easily find ways to stay active in OKC. There are all kinds of cultural institutions, like the Oklahoma City Railway Museum or the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, as well, to keep people of all ages engaged with history.

Pro: Low Traffic Congestion

Because Oklahoma City is very spread out, you’ll find that there’s not as much traffic congestion. This is especially nice if you’re coming from a large city where traffic is a major part of commuting anywhere. 

Con: Extreme Weather

Unfortunately, Oklahoma City is in the heart of Tornado Alley. This means the threat of tornadoes is real — especially from March to May, but they can occur anytime. You’ll need to make sure to be prepared.

Con: Limited Public Transportation Options

Although it’s nice to have less traffic congestion, the public transportation options are limited. However, OKC is working to expand its bus system so more folks can get around the city without a car. 

Con: Lack of Nightlife

There are plenty of local restaurants and bars in Oklahoma City — especially in the Bricktown area — however, you may find that the nightlife options aren’t as far-reaching or diverse as other cities. 

Q: Why you should move to Oklahoma City? A: Oklahoma City is affordable for all walks of life, there’s a rich history to explore, a thriving food scene, and lots to do!

6. The Oklahoma City Housing Market

Oklahoma City has a very affordable housing market. The average home value is $205,300, which is lower than the national average of $358,700. Even though it’s a large city, the population density is lower, which means you should be able to find a home without too much trouble. There are lots of styles of homes that nod to the unique history of the city, as well, including Art Deco, Spanish Revival, Victorian, and Traditional. 

7. Apartments/Renting in Oklahoma City

If you prefer to rent instead of purchase, you’ll be happy to know that apartments are plentiful and less expensive than in other cities. In fact, renters occupy 40 percent of households throughout Oklahoma City, according to Niche. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,000, but options range from studios to condos to single-family homes.

8. Best Places To Live in Oklahoma City 

Edmond

This beautiful suburb of Oklahoma City is ranked as the No. 1 place to live in Oklahoma, according to Niche, and is a great place for families. Here you’ll find great schools to send your children to, like Cheyenne Middle School and Memorial High School. There are also lots of lovely neighborhoods to walk through, and you’ll be happy to know that family-friendly activities abound here. For instance, you can take the kids to EC Hafer Park or Fink Park, or spend the day camping along Acadia Lake at Spring Creek Park.

Norman

If you’re a single professional, young adult, or student, you can’t go wrong living in Norman. The large student body from The University of Oklahoma (over 28,000) means there will always be bars, restaurants, and coffee shops to explore. Get Oklahoma-style BBQ at Ray’s BBQ, or grab Thai at Thai Kum Koon, for example. And enjoy an easy commute to the heart of OKC that’s only around a half hour, or visit the pristine Lake Thunderbird State Park for hiking and boating. 

Yukon 

West of the city is a popular area for retirees — Yukon. Here, you can enjoy a slower pace of life but still be in OKC in just over 20 minutes. Stay active with easy access to the trails along Lake Overholser and Chisholm Trail Park, or enjoy relaxing visits to Gray Fox Vineyards. And all your healthcare needs can be met locally, too, at INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hospital.

Q: Is OKC expensive to live in? A: Compared to other large cities and the national average, Oklahoma City is not expensive to live in. According to BestPlaces, OKC has a cost of living score of 85.5, which is significantly lower than the U.S. national score of 100.

9. Getting Around OKC

The Embark, Oklahoma City’s public transportation provider, has buses, a trolley, ferries, and a bike share program. The trolley caters to folks who are sticking to the downtown districts, and it’s a nice way to see the city without worrying about parking. The buses go out to the neighborhoods, but OKC is still working on providing more routes to reach neighborhoods further away from downtown. And the city recently launched a RAPID bus program to operate during peak hours with buses every 12 minutes to help more people get to large employment centers faster.

10. Schools and Higher Education in Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City has a large public school system that serves approximately 34,000 students. You’ll never have a hard time finding a local elementary school for your children, regardless of the neighborhood you’re in, as there are 33 across the district, including the well-rated Wilson Elementary School. You’ll also find a variety of high schools and middle schools, including Belle Isle Middle School and Classen School of Advanced Studies.

• The top-rated University of Oklahoma is just around 30 minutes away in Norman, OK.
• Oklahoma State University OKC is located in Oklahoma City.
• Oklahoma City University is also local.

11. OKC’s Sports Teams

Love sports? Then you’ll fit right in! The area is home to the NBA team the Oklahoma City Thunder. And if you want your fill of college football or basketball, you can always join the thousands who take the trip to either Norman or Stillwater to see the Oklahoma Sooners or Oklahoma State Cowboys duke it out. And with OU now in the SEC, you’re bound to see some of the best college football in the country. 

12. Oklahoma City Weather/Climate in Oklahoma City 

Oklahoma City experiences all four seasons, and you’ll find that the winters are cold, snowy, and windy with temperatures between 30 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The summers are muggy and humid, and there is an increased chance for rain. The summer temps? Those usually range between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but they can often feel warmer because of the humidity. Spring and summer are also the seasons for tornadoes and other extreme weather, so make sure you keep that in mind and prepare accordingly. 

13. Oklahoma City Crime Rate 

The OKC crime rate index is a 6, according to NeighborhoodScout, which means it’s safer than only six percent of U.S. cities. Your chances of being a victim are 1 in 27. The good news? The crime rate in Oklahoma City is noticeably lower than other cities of similar size. However, the overall crime rate is still higher than both the Oklahoma average and the national average.

14. OKC’s Job Market

Oklahoma City is home to all kinds of jobs in a variety of top industries, which means you have a good chance of landing well-paying employment. Not only is it home to a large Air Force base (the city’s top employer), but OKC is also home to the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, which was established as a centralized location for the training of pilots, air traffic controllers, engineers, and flight attendants. 

You’ll also find the headquarters of large energy companies in Oklahoma City, including Chesapeake Energy, Devon Energy, and Continental Resources. And great jobs are available at the nearby universities, OU and OSU.