Addressing The Pros And Cons Of Moving To Oklahoma
Is Oklahoma a good place to live? I will address the question head-on AND dive deep into the pros and cons of Oklahoma living.
Let’s jump right into today’s topic.
Is Oklahoma A Good Place To Live?
Oklahoma’s budget-friendly mid-sized cities and small towns, favorable economy, and fun recreational options make the state an excellent place to live.
According to Oklahoma.gov, the scenic beauty, moderate climate, rich culture, and world-class sports make Oklahoma an exceptional place to live and do business. Furthermore, quality health care, top universities, and a low cost of living make it easy to see why most people never want to leave.
Long-time resident and local real estate agent Marcie Billen says, “Oklahoma is filled with mom-and-pop farms and ranches. People move here to get their little slice of heaven, whether one acre or 1,000 acres. At the same time, there are enough cities to get whatever you need” (source).
Living in Oklahoma won’t be for everyone, so my top pros and cons are next.
Pros And Cons Of Living In Oklahoma: Head-To-Head Comparison
| Living In Oklahoma: Pros | Living In Oklahoma: Cons |
| 1. Affordable homes | 11. Extreme weather |
| 2. Low costs to rent | 12. Risk of tornados |
| 3. Modest living expenses | 13. Dull landscape |
| 4. Great mid-sized cities | 14. No major metro areas |
| 5. Fun things to do | 15. Limited public transit |
| 6. Tasty barbecue | 16. Excessive sales tax |
| 7. Youthful population | 17. High income tax |
| 8. Plenty of jobs | 18. Property tax rates |
| 9. Business-friendly | 19. Subpar K-12 schools |
| 10. Four-season living |
Next, let’s dive deep into all 19 above-listed pros and cons of living in Oklahoma.
Disclosure: At no cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Pros Of Living In Oklahoma
1. In Oklahoma, Home Ownership Is More Affordable
Oklahoma is one of the best states for a low cost of living.
For example, Oklahoma’s median home value is almost half the median-priced home in the United States. Thus, homes are very affordable.
Source: Redfin housing market insights and U.S. Federal Reserve housing data.
2. Cost Of Renting Is Favorable When Living In Oklahoma
Oklahoma is an affordable place to live for renters. The state has one of the country’s top 10 lowest average rents.
Source: World Population Review
Here’s another good reason to live in Oklahoma…
3. Other Oklahoma Living Costs Are Moderate
Oklahoma’s other living costs are also favorable if you are on a tight budget.
Food, utilities, and transportation expenses are well below average versus the rest of the U.S. Costs are similar to Oklahoma’s neighboring state to the northeast, Missouri.
Pro tip: Save on all your online purchases by using the money-back app from Rakuten.
4. Oklahoma Offers Some Great Mid-Sized City Living Options
Oklahoma has top-notch mid-sized cities for settling down and enjoying everything life offers here. The state’s most popular places have a mix of urban and cultural amenities without big city hassles.
At the same time, the cities are small enough to feel like your hometown. You won’t find the adverse effects of urbanization. Traffic jams are nearly nonexistent. Big crowds are rare.
Oklahoma’s best options for a good but cheap place to live include the following choices:
Oklahoma City (OKC) is the largest city by population and home to the state capital. OKC reminds me of Omaha in the state of Nebraska.
Tulsa checks in as the second-largest city in the state. The community is home to the University of Tulsa, a private research university.
Norman is just 20 miles from OKC and home to the University of Oklahoma.
5. There Are Plenty of Fun Things To Do In Oklahoma
Oklahoma residents have a wide variety of recreational options.
First, Oklahomans are avid sports fans. They love taking in an Oklahoma City Thunder professional basketball game. Or, a University of Oklahoma Sooners football game on a crisp fall Saturday afternoon.
Oklahoma has a vibrant arts, culture, and outdoor recreation scene. Several opportunities you can explore include:
- Oklahoma City Museum of Art
- Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa
- Beavers Bend State Park
- Natural Falls State Park
- Lake Texoma
- Grand Lake
6. Oklahoma Has Some Real Good And Tasty Barbecue
Oklahoma is known for excellent barbecue.
Meat eaters love the smoked beef brisket, pork, and sausage served with a tomato-based sauce on the side.
Oklahoma’s barbeque lands in the sweet spot, combining some of the best elements of Kansas City and Texas-style offerings.
7. Young Adults Are Thriving In Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s population ranks as one of the youngest of all states in the country. The median age is in the mid-30s. (Source: Wisevoter)
Thus, young adults find good reasons to remain in their home state. At the same time, others find excellent reasons for relocating to Oklahoma.
The younger population entering their prime working years contributes to Oklahoma’s buoyant economy.
Speaking of work, let’s discuss making a living as part of today’s pros and cons of moving to Oklahoma.
8. You Can Find Good Work In Oklahoma
Oklahoma ranks in the top one-third of all states for the lowest unemployment rates. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
The state has large and well-known employers, including the U.S. Department of Defense, Walmart, and the Chickasaw Nation gaming business. These big employers operate in relatively recession-proof industries.
Oklahoma’s energy sector is also doing well. Several Fortune 500 energy companies are headquartered in Oklahoma, including:
- NGL Energy Partners
- Oneok
- Chesapeake Energy
Finally, the Oklahoma State University system is another one of the state’s largest employers.
So, dust off that resume and get to work. I suggest you use MyPerfectResume to make your resume the best for finding the perfect job in Oklahoma.
9. Oklahoma Has A Business Friendly Economy
Oklahoma has a strong state economy where business owners can thrive.
First, the state’s business-friendly climate will help you achieve your company’s goals.
Second, Oklahoma’s low costs will benefit your company’s profits. Like your family’s budget, the low prices for property, rent, utilities, and transportation will boost your business.
Okay. So far, it appears Oklahoma is a good place to live. But what about everyone’s favorite topic, the weather? Let’s cover this topic next.
10. Oklahoma’s Climate Means Enjoyable 4-Season Living
Oklahoma residents enjoy all four weather seasons. However, you do not need to worry about harsh winter weather here.
In the dead of winter, high temperatures routinely climb into the mid-40s. Snow accumulation is limited except in the Western part of the state near the mountains.
Spring temperatures arrive in March. May is the rainiest month of the year. Summers are hot.
Cooler fall temperatures and decreased humidity arrive in September. Finally, October and November bring pleasant autumn colors from the turning leaves.
Okay, that concludes several benefits of living in Oklahoma. Next, I will transition to the disadvantages of living in Oklahoma.
Unfortunately, I’m not done with the weather!
Cons Of Living In Oklahoma
11. Moving To Oklahoma Means Extreme Weather Conditions
Oklahoma summers are hot. So, you will need to figure out how to beat the heat.
Temperatures routinely climb into the 90s. At the same time, 100+ degree readings on the thermometer are common.
The spring season also brings plenty of rainfall. Thus, flooding in some regions of the state is always possible.
12. Tornados Pose A Risk For Oklahomans
Oklahoma’s tornado season is an annual threat. Like its neighboring state to the North, Kansas, Oklahoma resides in Tornado Alley.
Some years, as many as 100 of these storms are recorded. April and May are the most active months.
As a result, make sure you have solid property insurance. Most importantly, be ready to move to a safe location immediately after relocating to Oklahoma.
13. You Might Get Tired Of The Dull Oklahoma Landscape
Oklahoma’s landscape is monotonous.
The most significant geographic regions are rolling plains and prairie. The land can be beautiful but will get dull if you prefer more variety.
Furthermore, the state is landlocked. So, you won’t find any ocean beaches to enjoy.
Oklahoma’s landscape is similar to Iowa’s. Iowa has an abundance of gently rolling hills or flat plains for those familiar with or who live in “the Hawkeye State.”
In fairness, Oklahoma has some smaller mountains. However, they are found in the South-Western part of the state, away from the population centers.
So, if you don’t mind being landlocked and surrounded by rolling plains and prairie land, Oklahoma is a good state to live in. On the other hand, if you want mountains, streams, and caves to explore, take up residence in Tennessee. The nearby state has a beautiful and scenic landscape.
14. The State Doesn’t Have Any Major Metropolitan Areas
Oklahoma is probably not your place if you crave the big city life. Thus, you will find the state has limited big-city offerings.
As I said earlier, living in Oklahoma City provides the best bigger-city option. But note, OKC checks in as only the 20th largest city in the U.S. Source: Wikipedia
Do you prefer a big city to call home? Then, you may want to consider Oklahoma’s neighbor to the South and think about living in Texas.
Texas is home to some of the largest cities in the U.S. Specifically, Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas. Furthermore, Dallas is only about 200 miles from Oklahoma City.
15. Limited Public Transportation Means You Need A Car
Oklahoma’s public transit options aren’t the best.
The larger cities have fixed-route bus systems. However, the schedules and coverage won’t conveniently get you where you need to go when you need to get there.
As a result, only .3% of Oklahomans use public transportation, one of the lowest usage rates in the country. (Source: HomeArea.com)
Thus, plan to own a car after moving to Oklahoma.
Next, taxes are another negative. There are several points to cover on this topic. But I promise not to bore you with an extended tax discussion.
16. Sales Taxes Will Take A Bite Out Of Your Budget
Oklahoma’s sales taxes range from 8-11%, depending on where you live and spend your money. Furthermore, purchases of groceries, food, and other necessities are not exempt from sales tax.
17 Oklahoma Income Taxes Are Higher Than Many Other States
Oklahoma has a progressive income tax system. That’s a fancy way of saying the more money you make, the higher your tax rate.
The highest income tax rate (nearly 5%) applies to incomes over $7,200. So, maxing out at the highest marginal tax rate doesn’t take much income.
More reading: The perks of living in Florida include low taxes
18. Property Tax Rates Add To The Cost Of Your Oklahoma Home
Real estate tax rates fall in the middle of the pack compared to other states. They are nothing like the low property tax rates when residing in Arkansas, Oklahoma’s neighboring state to the East.
Next, here’s my last reason you might not want to move to Oklahoma.
19. Families Have Sub-Par Primary & Secondary Educational Options
Oklahoma ranks poorly for its K-12 education system. (Source: U.S. News)
Like Mississippi, Oklahoma does not heavily reinvest its tax collections into education. For example, the state spends less per student than the national average.
Thus, teachers are significantly underpaid. Therefore, it is typical for educators to take positions elsewhere seeking better pay.
Okay, that concludes my top pros and cons of living in Oklahoma. Now, please allow me to wrap up with some final thoughts.
Is Oklahoma A Good Place To Live? – Pros And Cons Wrap-Up
Oklahoma is a good place to live but is often overlooked because of its low-key nature and lack of big cities. However, the state has plenty to offer, as you can see from today’s pros and cons.
Best of luck, no matter where you choose to settle down.
More Reading About Living Life In Oklahoma And Beyond
- The unique traits of every state
- List of what each state is known for
- Find your best place to settle down.
Author Bio: Tom Scott founded the consulting and coaching firm Dividends Diversify, LLC. He leverages his expertise and decades of experience in goal setting, relocation assistance, and investing for long-term wealth to help clients reach their full potential.