Oklahoma
South · Capital: Oklahoma City · Energy jobs, cheap living, and cowboy-country charm.
Population
4.0M
Median Home
$210K
Median Rent
$1,000/mo
Avg Salary
$52,000
Income Tax
4.75%
Cost of Living
Why people move to Oklahoma
Oklahoma delivers some of the lowest living costs in the nation, powered by an energy economy centered on oil and natural gas and a rapidly diversifying Oklahoma City that has invested heavily in downtown revival. Tulsa has even paid remote workers to relocate, adding to a growing creative and tech scene.
The state sits at the heart of Tornado Alley, facing severe spring storms, and wages trend below the national average. But affordable homes, a low cost of living, and a friendly, community-minded culture make it an easy landing spot.
Region
South
Capital
Oklahoma City
Homeownership
67%
Unemployment
3.3%
Top cities
Oklahoma City
Population 695K
Revitalized capital and energy hub.
Tulsa
Population 413K
Art-deco city with a growing tech and arts scene.
Norman
Population 128K
University of Oklahoma college town.
Broken Arrow
Population 115K
Fast-growing Tulsa suburb.
Edmond
Population 95K
Affluent OKC suburb with top schools.
Lawton
Population 90K
Southwestern city anchored by Fort Sill.
Cost of living breakdown
Indexed to the U.S. national average (100). Oklahoma's overall cost index is 87 — a low cost state.
Housing
Median Home
$210K
Median Rent
$1,000/mo
Property Tax
0.9%
Homeowners
67%
| City | Cost level | Est. rent (1BR) |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | Low cost | $800/mo |
| Tulsa | Low cost | $800/mo |
| Norman | Low cost | $800/mo |
| Broken Arrow | Low cost | $800/mo |
| Edmond | Moderate cost | $1,000/mo |
About 67% of residents own their homes. Effective property tax runs near 0.9% of assessed value — budget this into any purchase.
Housing assistance in Oklahoma
Explore Oklahoma vouchers, affordable apartments, down-payment help, rental & utility assistance, senior, veteran, and disability housing — with eligibility and how to apply.
Jobs & economy
Top industries
Major employers
- Devon Energy
- American Airlines Tulsa Base
- OGE Energy
- Paycom
Unemployment
3.3%
Remote-friendly
Moderate
Illustrative salaries by sector
Schools & education
K–12 & top districts
Oklahoma public schools serve families across urban and suburban districts. Sought-after systems cluster around its largest metros — including Oklahoma City area schools, Tulsa area schools, Norman area schools.
Universities & colleges
- University of Oklahoma
- Oklahoma State University
- University of Tulsa
Healthcare
Major hospitals & systems
- OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center
- Saint Francis Hospital Tulsa
Access & insurance landscape
Care access is strongest in and around Oklahoma City. Most residents use employer or marketplace (ACA) plans; rural areas can mean longer drives to specialist care, so factor network coverage into where you settle.
Transportation & getting around
Walk score
34/100
Transit
Car-dependent, with a downtown OKC streetcar and city bus systems.
I-75, I-85, and I-10 link fast-growing metros across the region. Average one-way commute is about 24 minutes; walkability scores near 34/100 statewide, higher in the largest cities.
Airports & hubs
Oklahoma City
Regional gateway
Tulsa
Northeastern Oklahoma hub
Weather & natural disaster risk
Continental to subtropical with hot summers, mild winters, and violent spring storms.
Taxes
State income tax
4.75%
State sales tax
4.5%
Property tax
0.9%
State income tax: 4.75%. Statewide sales tax is 4.5% (local add-ons may apply), and effective property tax averages 0.9% of home value.
Driver license & vehicle registration
New-resident timeline
30 days to register, 30 days for license.
Bring proof of identity, residency, and vehicle title. Expect a vision test and title transfer fees; a REAL ID upgrade needs extra documents.
Emissions testing
Not required
Typical license fee
$35–$90
Business registration & climate
LLC filing fee
$100
Corp income tax
Standard
Startup climate
Growing
Best for founders
Yes
Form an LLC through the Secretary of State's online portal for around $100. Startup resources include the Oklahoma City Small Business Development Center, local SCORE chapters, and university programs at University of Oklahoma.
Commercial space & coworking
Office and retail leasing is most active in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Rates track the state's low cost profile — expect a premium downtown and value in suburban submarkets.
Vendor & pop-up events
Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts
A spring celebration of visual and performing arts downtown.
Tulsa State Fair
A major autumn fair drawing hundreds of thousands.
Churches & community resources
Faith communities
Deeply rooted in the Bible Belt with strong Baptist and evangelical communities.
Getting connected
Community centers, libraries, and newcomer meetups in Oklahoma City and Tulsa are great first stops to build a network.
Diverse communities
Home to 39 Native American tribes, one of the largest Native populations in the U.S., plus a growing Latino community.
The honest take on Oklahoma
Pros
- Very low cost of living
- Growing energy and tech jobs
- Tulsa remote-worker incentives
Cons
- Severe tornado risk
- Below-average wages
- Limited public transit
Create my move plan for Oklahoma
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