What it's like to live in Jenks
Jenks is a small city in Oklahoma with unemployment below the national average, household incomes running above the national average, crime rates well below the national average, and commutes that run shorter than most cities. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Jenks deals with air quality that falls short of national benchmarks, hot summers, and a car-dependent commute, with few people using transit.
The good
- Low unemployment
- Higher-than-average incomes
- Low crime rates
- Short commutes
- Highly educated workforce
- Growing population
The not so good
- Air quality concerns
- Hot summers
- Car-dependent — few commuters use transit
How Jenks compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Jenks
Based on Jenks's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$3,204
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $64,080 a year
- 27% of Jenks renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$65,420
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $32,710
- Homes cost 2.9× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▲ 13% above US
$1,602/mo median rent
Rent is pretty middle of the road, at $1,602 a month median. Not a bargain, not a budget-buster. About typical for a city this size. Home prices are reasonable, with a median around $327,100. Not a steal, but not intimidating either.
Median home value $327,100 · 27% of renters cost-burdened
Job market▼ 33% below US
2.9% unemployment
Unemployment here is 2.9%, a little below the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▼ 70% below US
99 violent crimes per 100k
Safety is genuinely one of the selling points here. Both violent and property crime run well below the national average, the kind of numbers that fade into the background after a week of living somewhere.
Property crime 999/100k · Jenks Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 21% below US
21 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 20.5 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 15% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are hot and humid, with highs regularly hitting 92°F, and winters are cold, with lows around 30°F and snow a regular occurrence. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Education & workforce▲ 41% above US
51% bachelor's degree or higher
This is a highly educated city, with over half the adult population holding a college degree. That tends to shape the job market and the broader culture, and it's a solid indicator of a strong professional scene.
Schools
3 public schools inside the boundary
There are 3 public schools inside the boundary. The student-to-teacher ratio is 18:1, slightly above the national average of 16:1.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Oklahoma City National Memorial (94 miles away). There are 2 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Jenks's strongest points are unemployment below the national average and household incomes running above the national average; the main tradeoffs are air quality that falls short of national benchmarks and hot summers. A year of median rent ($1,602/mo) equals 17% of the median household income here, less than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit job seekers, anyone prioritizing low crime, and people who want short commutes. It may be a harder fit for anyone who doesn't drive.
Other places near Jenks
All Oklahoma guides →Not sure Jenks is the one?
Put it side by side with another city.