Oklahoma
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Are you planning to move to Oklahoma?

Oklahoma is one of the most coveted destinations for relocating families. The Sooner state’s low crime rates, affordable homes, and top-quality schools make it a top destination for many families in America.

If you’d like to live in a state with remarkable weather, where you’ll experience all four seasons in a year, moving to Oklahoma is perfect for you.

Oklahoma has a robust economy, a booming job market, and a thriving population of millennials, making it one of the best places for startups and investors in the country.

If all that sounds like what you’d like to be a part of, this guide contains all the key information you need to know about the state before making up your mind about moving to Oklahoma.

Demographics

Oklahoma Demographics

A quick look at the population and other demographics of Oklahoma.

Male vs Female Population of Oklahoma 2021

Male vs Female Population by Age Groups in Oklahoma 2021

Population distribution by Ethnicity in Oklahoma 2021

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Top 10 Reasons to move to Oklahoma

Thousands of people are moving to Oklahoma every year for several reasons.

We’ve made a top ten list of why most people move to the Sooner State since you’re considering moving to Oklahoma:

  • Oklahoma’s cost of living is lower than the national average:

    Oklahoma has the second-lowest cost of living in the US. In Oklahoma, the cost of living is about 15% less than the national average. The living wage in Oklahoma is $46,159, and the median household income is $51,424.

  • Oklahoma is rated as one of the best states for military retirees:

    Oklahoma is one of the best states for military retirees to move in for quality life, economic environment, and healthcare. In addition, there are seven state veterans’ homes in Ardmore, Claremore, Clinton, Lawton, Norman, Sulphur, and Talihina, offering free nursing services for both veterans and their spouses. The state even exempts property tax and sales tax for veterans by 100%.

  • Oklahoma is home to some of the best college cities in the U.S.:

    Some of the best colleges and universities in the US are in Oklahoma. The state is home to a mix of public and private large research universities, midsize colleges, and small liberal arts schools. Oklahoma City is the state capital and most colleges and universities are located in the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metropolitan areas. Some of the top-ranking colleges in Oklahoma State include the University of Oklahoma, the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City University, Oral Roberts University, and Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology—Okmulgee.

  • The lakes in Oklahoma are beautiful:

    Oklahoma is covered by one million surface acres of water. It has the most number of manmade lakes in the US, each prettier and captivating. Some of the best lakes in Oklahoma are:

    • Broken Bow Lake; McCurtain County
    • Lake Oologah; Rogers & Nowata counties
    • Skiatook Lake; Osage County
    • Eufaula Lake; Haskell, McIntosh & Pittsburg Counties
    • Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees
    • Konawa Lake

     

  • Homes are affordable in Oklahoma:

    Since Oklahoma has the second-lowest-cost of living in the US, it is natural that the housing costs are extremely low. An average two-bedroom apartment costs $879 per month and the median home value is $130,001.

  • Commute’s time is shorter in Oklahoma:

    Recent studies state that Oklahoma has the 9th shortest commute time in the US. On average, an Oklahoma resident takes 21.7 minutes for the one-way commute to work, which is 18.4% lower than the national average. While driving a car, a resident takes 21.5 minutes for the one-way commute to the office and by public transport, it is 36.7 minutes.

  • Oklahoma has a robust economy and booming job market:

    The economy of Oklahoma is highly robust and the job sector is booming. In May, employment rose by 559,000 and the unemployment rate declined by 0.3% to 5.8%. The major booming sectors in Oklahoma are bioscience, insurance, telecommunications, aviation, and energy.

  • Oklahoma is a melting pot of culture:

    Oklahoma is a land of diversity and it is home to nearly 4 million people who claim hundreds of cultures. You will see white, American Indian, black, Hispanic, English, Irish, German, Italian, Asian Indian, Vietnamese, Scottish, French, Dutch, and Middle Eastern in Oklahoma. In addition, the state also has a large Hispanic population.

  • You’ll enjoy all four seasons in Oklahoma:

    Oklahoma experiences all four seasons with frequent variations. Summers can be oppressive with temperatures stalling out in the 80s and 90s F in the daytime while in the fall, temperatures drop to 60 to 80-degree F and in the winter, it can go dip below the freezing mark, especially at night.

  • Oklahomans are friendly, polite, and laid-back people:

    One of the major pluses of Oklahoma is the friendly population here. Oklahomans are ranked as highly cordial and welcoming and they have the reputation of being the kindest and down-to-earth people in the country. In addition, the state has a highly laid-back attitude.

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pros

Pros & Cons of Living in Oklahoma

Considering the pros and cons of the Sooner state can help you decide if moving to Oklahoma is right for you or not.

Pros of living in Oklahoma
  • The cost of living in Oklahoma is lower than the national average
  • Oklahoma is home to several attractive mid-sized cities
  • Homes are affordable in Oklahoma
  • Oklahoma has a vibrant economy
  • You’ll enjoy all four seasons in Oklahoma
  • Oklahomans are warm and friendly people
  • You’ll earn a decent wage in Oklahoma
  • It’s easy to travel around Oklahoma
  • Oklahoma is rich in culture
Cons of living in Oklahoma
  • Oklahoma is susceptible to extreme weather
  • The landscape in Oklahoma is best described as dull
  • Oklahoma doesn’t offer any access to major metropolitan areas
  • You’ll have to put up with high state and local taxes
  • Sub-par K-12 education
  • You’ll have to put up with the high level of fundamentalism
  • Oklahoma lacks adequate infrastructure funding
  • You’ll have to put up with prevalent food tax
  • Oklahoma is not a politically diverse state
  • The excessive cultural independence triggers isolation

Best Places to Live in Oklahoma

Moving to Oklahoma means getting the chance to live in some of the best places in the state. To make it easier for you to choose any of these places, we’ve made a list of the ten best places to live in Oklahoma. Check out the list below:

Rank City Population Unemployment Rate Home Value
1 Jenks 22,488 4.3% $214,300
2 Bixby 26,541 2.9% $223,900
3 Broken Arrow 108,496 4.2% $166,900
4 Mustang 21,459 2.7% $160,200
5 Edmond 92,009 3.6% $240,600
6 Owasso 36,173 3.3% $172,700
7 Piedmont 7,747 0.8% $222,300
8 Blanchard 8,386 2.7% $191,700
9 Choctaw 12,474 2.8% $178,600
10 Tuttle 7,294 1.2% $197,600

 

Oklahoma Cities Moving Guides

Cost of Living in Oklahoma

The cost of living in Oklahoma is 83.7. The United States average is 100.

That means the cost of living in Oklahoma is lower than the United States average. Here’s a breakdown of the various costs of living in the Sooner state if you’re moving to Oklahoma:

Cost of Living Oklahoma United States
Overall 83.7 100
Grocery 92.3 100
Health 115.8 100
Housing 54 100
Median Home Cost $124,800 $231,200
Utilities 99.7 100
Transportation 89.2 100
Miscellaneous 95.9 100

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Oklahoma’s Housing Market

One of the key perks of moving to Oklahoma is affordable homes. More than 70% of Oklahomans are homeowners. Buying a home is a good housing option since you’re considering moving to Oklahoma. Here are key stats about the state’s housing market:

  • Oklahoma’s median home cost is $124,800
  • Homes in the state has appreciated by 24.9% in the last 10 years
  • Presently, Oklahoma homes have appreciated by 5.1%
  • More than 70% of Oklahomans are homeowners

Oklahoma’s median home rental cost

Renting a home after moving to Oklahoma can be a good housing option. About 28.9% of Oklahomans are renters. Up to 2.6% of homes and apartments in the state are available to rent. Here are key stats about the state’s rental market if you’re moving to Oklahoma:

  • The average cost of a studio apartment in Oklahoma is $568
  • The average cost of a 1-bedroom home or apartment in Oklahoma is $629
  • The average cost of a 2-bedroom home or apartment in Oklahoma is $801
  • The average cost of a 3-bedroom home or apartment in Oklahoma is $1083
  • The average cost of a 4-bedroom home or apartment in Oklahoma is $1,265

Median House Price in Oklahoma vs USA 2021

Median Rent Price in Oklahoma vs USA 2021

Cost of Living by Categories in Oklahoma vs USA 2021

How is the job market in Oklahoma?

Moving to Oklahoma could mean getting a new job with new pay. Oklahoma has a robust economy, and the state’s unemployment rate is lower than the national average.

  • Oklahoma’s unemployment rate is 4.1%. The national average is 6.0%
  • Over the past year, the number of jobs in Oklahoma has risen by 1.8%
  • Oklahoma’s future job growth is expected to hit 28.90%

Here’s a simple analysis of Oklahoma’s job market:

Employment Information Oklahoma United States
The income per Cap $26,461 $31,177
Household Income $49,767 $57,652
Unemployment Rate 4.1 6.0
Recent Job Growth -2.99% -6.18%
Future Job Growth 28.90% 33.51%

What’s the median salary in Oklahoma?

Since you’re considering moving to Oklahoma, you’ll most likely be interested in the median salary in the state. Here’s the average salary of the Sooner State if you’re moving to Oklahoma:

  • The average annual pay for the average hourly job in Oklahoma is $42,308
  • The average weekly rate for average jobs in Oklahoma is $814
  • The average hourly rate for average jobs in Oklahoma is $20.34
  • The average monthly rate for the average job in Oklahoma is $3,526

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What are the top Career Options in Oklahoma

If you’re considering a change of career after moving to Oklahoma, we’ve made a list of the top career options in the state to help you get started:

Rank Job Title AVERAGE SALARY ENTRY LEVEL SALARY # OF PEOPLE
1 Surgeons, Except Ophthalmologists $286,320 $207,800 310
2 Anesthesiologists $278,540 $186,240 390
3 Orthodontists $256,930 $77,600 130
4 Obstetricians And Gynecologists $218,360 $95,300 100
5 Family Medicine Physicians $217,520 $66,300 2,340
6 Psychiatrists $212,680 $59,640 210
7 General Internal Medicine Physicians $190,030 $54,720 370
8 Nurse Anesthetists $175,090 $60,130 360
9 Dentists, General $173,860 $77,660 1,090
10 Physicists $173,400 $64,100 40

What are the top industries in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma is home to several top industries in America. These various large industries are known for propelling the state’s economy. Here are the top industries in the Sooner State since you’re considering moving to Oklahoma:

  • Aerospace and defense
  • Agribusiness
  • Automotive
  • Bioscience
  • Information and financial services
  • Manufacturing
  • Renewable energy
  • Traditional energy

Largest companies in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is home to several large companies. Since you’re considering moving to Oklahoma, we’ve made a list of the ten largest companies in the Sooner state to give you an idea of the state’s economy:

Rank Company City Employees
1 Express Services Oklahoma City 500,002
2 Hobby Lobby Oklahoma City 32,000
3 QuikTrip Tulsa 22,534
4 Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores Oklahoma City 22,000
5 Accord Human Resources Oklahoma City 13,000
6 Helmerich & Payne Tulsa 9,777
7 Sonic Oklahoma City 9,620
8 MidFirst Bank Oklahoma City 8,700
9 University of Oklahoma Norman 8,510
10 Saint Francis Health System Tulsa 8,200

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Number of Households by Income Level in Oklahoma

Median Income in Oklahoma vs USA

Unemployment Rate in Oklahoma vs USA

How are taxes like in Oklahoma?

Moving to Oklahoma could mean paying lower or higher taxes depending on where you’re moving from.

We’ve highlighted key stats about the state’s taxes since you’re considering moving to Oklahoma:

  • Income tax rate in Oklahoma is 0.50% - 5%
  • Cities in Oklahoma have no local income taxes
  • Oklahoma sales tax is 4.5% - 11.5%
  • The property tax rate in Oklahoma is 0.87 average effective rate
  • The gas tax is 19 cents per gallon of regular diesel and gasoline

Best things to do in Oklahoma

There are lots of exciting things to do in Oklahoma. The Sooner State is home to many remarkable attractions along with various exciting activities.

Since you’re considering moving to Oklahoma, here are some of the best things to do in the state:

  • Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
  • Scissortail Park
  • Oklahoma City Thunder Basketball
  • Factory Obscura's Mix-Tape
  • Horse Shows
  • Oklahoma City Zoo's Sanctuary Asia
  • Conestoga Wagons & Teepees at Orr Family Farm
  • National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
  • Oklahoma City Museum of Art
  • Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center

How safe is Oklahoma?

Safety is always a part of the key things to consider before making up your mind about moving to any state. However, considering the general low crime rates in the U.S., safety is often calculated using crime rates per 1000 incidents.

  • Violent crime rates in Oklahoma are rated 25.5. The national average is 22.7
  • Property crime rates in Oklahoma are rated 42.9. The national average is 35.4
  • The violent crime rate in Oklahoma is lower than the U.S. average
  • The property crime rate in Oklahoma is higher than the U.S. average

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10 Safest Cities in Oklahoma

If you’re moving to Oklahoma, you’d most likely be interested in living in the safest cities in the state. To help you narrow down your house hunting option, we’ve made a list of the ten safest cities in Oklahoma to help you get started. Check out the list below:

Rank City Population Violent Crimes Per 100k Property Crimes Per 100k
1 Lone Grove, OK 5,111 0 254
2 Blanchard, OK 9,028 11 886
3 Piedmont, OK 8,553 93 479
4 Alva, OK 5,022 119 716
5 Jenks, OK 24,264 111 1,228
6 Bixby, OK 28,383 105 1,412
7 Choctaw, OK 12,812 109 1,397
8 Collinsville, OK 7,271 151 990
9 Harrah, OK 6,602 75 2,059
10 Broken Arrow, OK 110,480 124 1,789

Best Schools & Universities in Oklahoma

Whether you're still schooling or have school age kids or not, if you're moving to Oklahoma, you'd most likely be interested in the best schools in the state. Here we've made a list of the best elementary, middle, high, and colleges in Oklahoma. Check out the list below:

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