Moving to Oklahoma in 2023? Complete Relocation Guide

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.

Let’s jump right in!

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  Oklahoma Demographics

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  Quick Facts of Oklahoma

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  Top Reasons to move to Oklahoma

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  Pros & Cons of living in Oklahoma

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  Best Places to Live in Oklahoma

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  Cost of living in Oklahoma

• 

  Oklahoma Job Market

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  Taxes in Oklahoma

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  Oklahoma Most Known For?

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  Schools in Oklahoma

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

Quick facts to know before moving to Oklahoma

• The cost of homes in Oklahoma are lower than the U.S. average
• Costs of living in Oklahoma are lower than the national average
• Commuting time in Oklahoma is shorter than the U.S. average
• You’ll experience all four seasons in Oklahoma
• Oklahoma averages 234 sunny days per year
• Unemployment rates in Oklahoma are lower than the U.S. average
• Crime rates in Oklahoma are lower than the national average
• The average hourly rate for average jobs in Oklahoma is $20.34

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 & 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.

We’ve made a list of the various pros and cons of living in Oklahoma to help you get started:

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:

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

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

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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

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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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 Universities and Colleges in Oklahoma

Moving to Oklahoma means getting the chance to attend some of the best schools in the country.

From the University of Tulsa to Oral Roberts University, Oklahoma is home to several top-quality schools. Here’s a list of the top ten universities and colleges in the state since you’re considering moving to Oklahoma: