Americans love Oklahoma! And why wouldn’t you? From the oil and gas industry to Native American heritage, the Sooner State has got it all.
The median home value for Oklahoma is $237,000. The state scores 72/100 in quality of life. For a rich cultural experience, Oklahoma City and Edmond are some of the best places to live.
People are attracted to move here because of the expanding economy, accessible housing, and high-quality education. Also, the state’s cost of living is 12% lower than the national average. Let’s explore the best places to live in Oklahoma.
3 Reasons to Live in Oklahoma 🌄
- Flourishing Job Market: By 2030, the job market in Oklahoma is expected to rise by 29.54%. Transportation, agriculture, and aviation are the growing sectors.
- Affordable Healthcare: The cost of healthcare services such as body check-ups and dentistry in Oklahoma is 6% less than the national average.
- Enormous Tax Benefits: In Oklahoma, social security income is not taxed. Also, the median property tax bill in the state is $1,424, which is lower than the national average.
7 Best Places to Live in Oklahoma in 2024
This list provides insights into the average household income, median listing price, population, and unemployment rate of the cities.
| # | City | Population | Median Home Price | Monthly Expenses | Unemployment Rate | Community Well-Being Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Edmond | 94,503 | $335,758 | $7,602 | 2.6% | 26/77 |
| 2. | Jenks | 25,872 | $335,758 | $7,602 | 2.6% | 22/77 |
| 3. | Norman | 127,701 | $240,424 | $8,083 | 2.60% | 23/77 |
| 4. | Bixby | 28,731 | $306,736 | $7,936 | 4.2% | 22/77 |
| 5. | Nichols Hills | 3,854 | $868,642 | $8,366 | 9.0% | 26/77 |
| 6. | Stillwater | 48,644 | $232,777 | $7,492 | 2.40% | 24/77 |
| 7. | Muskogee | 36,933 | $120,208 | $6,868 | 4.1% | 45/77 |
1. Edmond
| 🏡 Home Value | ⬆️ 1.5% |
| 💰 Median Income | $96,389 |
| 💲 Monthly Expenses | $7,602 |
| 📉 Unemployment Rate | 2.6% |
Edmond is a perfect option for those living on a budget. The median home price in the city has gone up by 1.5% as compared to last year. Moreover, the cost of living in Edmond is 10% lower than the national average.
Edmond is ideal for job seekers and the job market in the city is projected to grow by 33.6% in the coming decade. The city is known for its top-rated education system. The Tulsa Public School is the largest school district in Oklahoma.
» Homes for Sale in Edmond, OK: Find your dream home in this affordable city.
2. Jenks
| 🏡 Home Value | ⬆️ 1.4% |
| 💰 Median Income | $101,767 |
| 💲 Monthly Expenses | $7,890 |
| 📉 Unemployment Rate | 4.2% |
The median home price in Jenks is $327,734. The city’s cost of living is 11% less than the national average. Also, Jenks has a booming job market, with an average monthly salary of $20 per hour.
The city hosts various cultural events throughout the year. Some examples include the Jenks America Food Truck Festival and the Jenks Herb and Plant Festival.
» Homes for Sale in Jenks, OK: View the best properties in Jenks online.
3. Norman
| 🏡 Home Value | ⬆️ 2.9% |
| 💰 Median Income | $62,849 |
| 💲 Monthly Expenses | $8,083 |
| 📉 Unemployment Rate | 2.60% |
The median home price in Norman is $240,424. The cost of living in the city is 9% higher than the state average. Moreover, Norman has a stable job market with an unemployment rate of 3.3%, less than the national average.
Norman features two key cultural spots such as the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art and the Sam Noble Museum. The first features diverse artworks, whereas the latter is famous for its exhibits of state natural heritage.
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4. Bixby
| 🏡 Home Value | ⬆️ 1.5% |
| 💰 Median Income | $93,765 |
| 💲 Monthly Expenses | $7,936 |
| 📉 Unemployment Rate | 4.2% |
With a median home price of $306,736, Bixby become one of the best places to live in Oklahoma. The cost of living in the city is 5% lower than the national average.
In the last year, Bixby’s job market grew by 2.7%, with a forecasted 31.3% growth over the next decade. The Grocery Cost Index in Bixby is 99, lower than the national average.
The SpiritBank Event Center hosts various events, from concerts to community gatherings. The Bixby Historical Museum showcases historical exhibits, while art enthusiasts can visit GlassHouse Studio or Sooo Tulsa Art Gallery for local creations.
» Homes for Sale in Bixby, OK: Find the best properties in the Bixby neighborhood.
5. Nichols Hills
| 🏡 Home Value | ⬆️ 3.0% |
| 💰 Median Income | $21,788 |
| 💲 Monthly Expenses | $8,366 |
| 📉 Unemployment Rate | 9.0% |
The median home price in Nichols Hills is $868,642. The median rent for an apartment is $921 with an average size of 847 sq. ft. The city is also home to Oklahoma State University (OSU), providing an excellent option for higher education.
The cost of living in the city is approximately 14.5% lower than the United States average. This makes it one of the least expensive cities in the US. The job market is also expected to grow by 4.7 million in the next decade.
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6. Stillwater
| 🏡 Home Value | ⬆️ 4.3% |
| 💰 Median Income | $39,998 |
| 💲 Monthly Expenses | $7,492 |
| 📉 Unemployment Rate | 2.40% |
The median home price in Stillwater is $232,777. The cost of living in the city is 10% lower than the national average. Moreover, the unemployment rate is also 3% lower than the national average.
The city is home to some major employers like Stillwater Medical, Southwest Bancorp, and InterWorks. Moreover, the job market grew by 0.8% last year and is projected to increase by 29.4% over the next ten years.
» Homes for Sale in Stillwater, OK: Find your dream home on Houzeo.
7. Muskogee
| 🏡 Home Value | ⬆️ 4.4% |
| 💰 Median Income | $41,430 |
| 💲 Monthly Expenses | $6,868 |
| 📉 Unemployment Rate | 4.1% |
Muskogee also referred to as Queen City of the Southwest is the eleventh-largest city in Oklahoma. The median home price in Muskogee is $120,208. The rent for a two-bedroom apartment costs just $790, which is much lower than the US average. Additionally, healthcare costs in Muskogee are 19% lower than the national average.
The city is home to some big corporations like American Airlines, BHP Billiton, and Lufkin Industries. Queen City has an unemployment rate of 5.1%, which is lower than the national average of 6.0%.
» Homes for Sale in Muskogee, OK: View thousands of properties for sale in Muskogee.
Best Places to Live in Oklahoma for Young Adults
Here are the best places to live in Oklahoma for young adults:
- Bricktown: The average salary for a college graduate in Bricktown is $79,354. Apart from this, the city is renowned for its diverse entertainment options. One notable attraction is watching the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team.
- The Village: The job market in The Village experienced a remarkable growth rate of 2.6% in recent years. The average salary in the city is $39,192.
Bottom Line
Oklahoma is one of the best places to live in the US due to a thriving job market and reasonable living costs. The state provides ample employment opportunities. It also has a renowned education system and is one of the most favorable places to live for families.
Oklahoma’s current population is 4 million, and it’s projected to increase by 0.1 million by 2030. Moreover, the Sooner State is ranked 43rd among the most fiscally stable states in the country.
In some cities, the median home price is around $85,000. However, in cities like Bixby, it can go up to $306,736. So, you must do your research before you move to Oklahoma. To start your home search, browse properties online.
» Free Home Value Estimator: Get an estimate of property values with Oklahoma’s most accurate home value estimator.
Find Homes For Sale by Type and Style in OK
Research Methodology
We considered different regions to rank the best places in Oklahoma. Comparison criteria for the best cities to live in Oklahoma and the information sources are as follows:
- Population: Oklahoma Demographics Report [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow[2] and Redfin[3]
- Median Household Income: United States Census Bureau[4]
- Monthly Expenses: Economic Policy Institute[5]
- Unemployment Rate: US Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]
- Community Well-Being Score: Community Well-Being Index by Sharecare[7]
Additionally, we have listed the good cities to live in Oklahoma for varying demographics. These include the best places to live for families, young adults, retirees, and working professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best place to live in Oklahoma?
Edmond is the best place to live in Oklahoma. The city's cost of living is low and has a flourishing job market.
Which is the best place to live in Oklahoma for retirees?
Some are the best places for retirees include Nichols Hills,The Village, and Goldsby.
What are some of the cheapest place to live in Oklahoma?
Some of the cheapest places to live in Oklahoma are Anadarko, Altus, Okmulgee.
