Oklahoma City, OK, known as 'The Big Friendly,' offers a welcoming atmosphere with a mix of Western charm and modern amenities. Located in central Oklahoma, Oklahoma City is a large city that serves as a major economic and cultural hub. Major nearby cities like Norman and Edmond enhance its status as a central point in the region. Oklahoma City's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Oklahoma City is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Oklahoma City National Memorial, the Myriad Botanical Gardens, and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Lake Hefner to the bustling Bricktown Entertainment District, known for its dining and nightlife. Oklahoma City's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from traditional Southern cuisine to innovative fusion dishes.
Annual events such as the Oklahoma State Fair and the Festival of the Arts highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Oklahoma City's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City University contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Oklahoma City is vibrant and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Civic Center Music Hall and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Oklahoma City provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and theater, making it an exciting place to call home.
Oklahoma City’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Thunder (NBA) and the Energy FC (USL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Oklahoma City include energy, healthcare, and aerospace, with significant employers such as Devon Energy and Integris Health driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and a developing streetcar system, making it easy to navigate.
Amenities
A wealth of amenities, such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks and fitness facilities, are all conveniently located within walking distance.
Commute
An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.
Cost Of Living
Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Health & Safety
Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.
Crime
This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.
Schools
The low schools score could result from issues like below-average graduation rates, inadequate reading and math scores, and the unavailability of local elementary and high schools.
Located in the state of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City is a large city with a population of 649,821 residents. At 66%, the majority of the Oklahoma City population is White; this is followed by 14% Black and 4% Asian. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Oklahoma City offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 21 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Living in Oklahoma City can be a good experience for anyone moving to the area. Having said that, in the state of Oklahoma, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, education, you can easily compare the best places to live in Oklahoma City and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Oklahoma City to Oklahoma and the national average.
Oklahoma City has a livability score of 79 out of 100 and is ranked #3 in Oklahoma and #1,463 in the USA. Compared to the United States average, Oklahoma City ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Another exciting tidbit, is that Oklahoma City ranks better than 90% of all US cities! Based on the grades for each individual category, Oklahoma City has been rewarded with high marks for amenities (A+), cost of living (A+) and housing (A-). On a less positive note, Oklahoma City does not have favorable grades for the following: crime (F) and education (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
If you're living in Oklahoma City, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Oklahoma City an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Oklahoma City: Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, Oklahoma City Zoo, and Bricktown.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Oklahoma City can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Oklahoma City is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Oklahoma City come in at $161,800, which is 33.4% higher than the Oklahoma average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Oklahoma City, the home price to income ratio is 2.9, which is 16% higher than the Oklahoma average.
| Statistic | Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | National |
| Average one way commute | 21min | 21min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 81.4% | 82.6% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.1% | 10.1% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.5% | 0.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.6% | 1.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.0% | 3.6% | 4.6% |
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