What it's like to live in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is a major city in Oklahoma with rent below the national average, home prices that remain within reach, unemployment 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. Oklahoma City deals with crime rates above the national average, air quality that falls short of national benchmarks, hot summers, and a car-dependent commute, with few people using transit.
The good
- Rent below the national average
- Affordable home prices
- Low unemployment
- Short commutes
- Growing population
- Average class sizes
The not so good
- Crime above national average
- Air quality concerns
- Hot summers
- Car-dependent — few commuters use transit
How Oklahoma City compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Oklahoma City
Based on Oklahoma City's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,260
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $45,200 a year
- 46% of Oklahoma City renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$46,260
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $23,130
- Homes cost 3.4× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▼ 20% below US
$1,130/mo median rent
Cost of living works in this city's favor. Median rent sits around $1,130 a month, nothing that raises eyebrows. Solid value overall. Home prices here are genuinely accessible, with a median around $231,300. That kind of affordability is rare in today's market.
Median home value $231,300 · 46% of renters cost-burdened
Job market▼ 26% below US
3.2% unemployment
Unemployment here is 3.2%, a little below the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▲ 107% above US
681 violent crimes per 100k
Crime is a real factor here, with violent rates significantly above the national average. That doesn't make the whole city a write-off, but it does mean specific neighborhoods deserve real research before signing a lease.
Property crime 2658/100k · Oklahoma City Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 15% below US
22 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 22.2 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 9 in 10 workers drive to work; 11% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are hot and humid, with highs regularly hitting 91°F, and winters are cold, with lows around 29°F and snow a regular occurrence.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
19 hospitals
There are 19 Medicare-certified hospitals inside city limits. They average 3.3 out of 5 on Medicare's star rating.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforceNear US average
35% bachelor's degree or higher
Education levels run about average, with 35% college-educated. It's a mix of white-collar and blue-collar work, which can be an asset or a limitation depending on the field.
Schools
155 public schools inside the boundary
There are 155 public schools inside the boundary and 32 private schools. 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 (0 miles away). There are 2 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Oklahoma City's strongest points are rent below the national average and home prices that remain within reach; the main tradeoffs are crime rates above the national average and air quality that falls short of national benchmarks. A year of median rent ($1,130/mo) equals 20% of the median household income here, about the same as the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit people watching their budget and job seekers. It may be a harder fit for anyone who doesn't drive.
Other places near Oklahoma City
All Oklahoma guides →Moving to Del City →
4 mi away · pop. 21,494
Rent $1,054/mo · Income $46,925
Compare with Oklahoma City →Moving to Warr Acres →
7 mi away · pop. 10,466
Rent $919/mo · Income $53,273
Compare with Oklahoma City →Moving to Bethany →
8 mi away · pop. 20,560
Rent $1,071/mo · Income $56,591
Compare with Oklahoma City →Moving to Midwest City →
8 mi away · pop. 58,297
Rent $1,091/mo · Income $57,520
Compare with Oklahoma City →Not sure Oklahoma City is the one?
Put it side by side with another city.