High-quality schools, below-average cost of living, and affordable home prices make towns such as Edmond, Chickasha, and Goldsby among the best places to live in

Oklahoma

While this state is often overlooked, young professionals, aspiring homeowners, and budding families should seriously consider Oklahoma as their next place to call home. Its booming economy has earned this state the third fastest-growing per capita income in the United States, and it has lots to offer in terms of community life, quality schools, and affordable living.

Oklahoma is a great place to call home, but with so many towns and cities to choose from, how do you know which Oklahoma community is right for you?

Thankfully,

, the

for

and

, is here to help. We’ve put together a comprehensive list of the best places to live in Oklahoma based on your circumstances and priorities.

Ready to find your next place to call home? Let’s get started!

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What makes a good place to live?

When it comes to picking a place to live, it can be hard to know where to start. After all, so much goes into making a home livable, from grocery and gas prices to the climate and local attractions. Then there’s personal preference—after all, the perfect small town won’t be a good place for a city lover to settle down.

To help you out, we’ve gathered the facts on eight Oklahoma towns: Edmond, Jenks, Holdenville, Chickasha, Noble, McCord, Goldsby, and Tuttle. We’ve included both cities and small towns on our list, and we’ve considered the following factors for each place:

Median household income

Median home price

Cost of living

Quality of schools

Crime rates

Healthcare

Average commute times

FEMA risk index ratings

Using those metrics, we’ve narrowed down the best places to live in Oklahoma into three categories: the best places for families, the most affordable places, and the best places to buy a house and put down permanent roots.

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The best places for families to live in Oklahoma

Education, crime rates, and community life top the list of factors for families to keep in mind when looking for a place to settle. Putting those variables front and center, three Oklahoma towns stand out as the top communities for family life.

Edmond

Population: 92,009

Median home value: $240,600

Median rent: $1,047

Median household income: $81,473

Edmond

is a diverse, picturesque suburb of

Oklahoma City

with many local shopping opportunities, more than 250 restaurants, 270 public art pieces, dozens of acres of public parks, golf courses, sporting facilities, and so much more. Residents of Edmond enjoy big-city amenities while benefiting from quiet, spacious suburban living with lots of green space and community events to appreciate.

The crime rate in Edmond is well below the national and state average, and it boasts top-ranked schools, making Edmond a great place to raise a family. All three of Edmond’s high schools rank within the top ten high schools in the state and the top 6% in the country based on state math and reading proficiency tests, participation and performance in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, and graduation rates.

Overall, Edmond is the perfect safe haven for those wanting to start a family in proximity to city amenities.

Jenks

Population: 22,488

Median home value: $214,300

Median rent: $1,203

Median household income: $94,132

Jenks

is a lively suburb of

Tulsa

and one of the fastest-growing communities in Oklahoma. Jenks is home to many shops and boutiques, a historic downtown core with arts centers, and the

Oklahoma Aquarium

—Oklahoma’s only freestanding aquarium.

From a rich arts and culture scene to community clubs, green space, and booming economic growth, Jenks is a great place to lay down roots, particularly if you plan on raising a family.

The crime rates in Jenks are 50% below the national average, and the community boasts high-quality schools for its primary and secondary students. Jenks High School boasts a 92% graduation rate and is the 18th best high school in the state.

Most Jenks residents own their homes and enjoy a rural suburban community life. Overall, Jenks is an excellent choice for family life in Oklahoma.

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The most affordable places to live in Oklahoma

Cost of living is one of the biggest factors in finding a good place to live. Oklahoma’s overall cost of living is below the national average, but that number is higher in certain cities, including places with the best schools and lowest crime rates.

That’s why we’ve singled out these towns as the best affordable places to live in Oklahoma. We’re basing affordability on two main factors: the overall cost of living and average commute times—which determine fuel costs.

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Holdenville

Population: 5,559

Median home value: $56,100

Median rent: $559

Median income: $32,141

The quaint town of

Holdenville

is the county seat of Hughes County, located in the beautiful rolling hills countryside of Oklahoma. It’s 75 miles from Oklahoma City, making the city fairly accessible to residents. Holdenville hosts seasonal festivals, and has many recreational activities at Holdenville Lake and Stroup Park.

Not only does Holdenville have all the charm of a small American town—it’s also one of the least expensive places to buy a home in Oklahoma. The average selling price for Holdenville homes is $56,100, and the average median income is $32,141, earning Holdenville the fourth-best home price to income ratio in all of Oklahoma. Median rent is also just $559 per month!

Plus, the average commute time for Holdenville residents is just 18.7 minutes, so you’ll save on gas costs as well.

Chickasha

Population: 16,326

Median home value: $92,800

Median rent: $735

Median income: $48,796

Located just 40 miles south of Oklahoma City is

Chickasha

, the county seat of Grady County and one of the most affordable communities to live in Oklahoma.

Chickasha is a historic town with many unique attractions, shopping, and dining experiences. It’s home to the seasonal

Festival of Light

, which takes place in local Shannon Springs Park each Christmas season, and has been named one of the top ten light shows in the country.

Needless to say, Chickasha takes pride in its community culture, but it’s also the perfect place to buy or rent if you’re on a budget. The cost of living in Chickasha is 18% lower than the national average, and the median rent is only $735 per month. If you decide to buy a home here, the median home price is just $92,800.

The average commute time in Chickasha is just 20.4 minutes, saving you money and time.

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Noble

Population: 6,956

Median home value: $150,100

Median rent: $955

Median household income: $82,843

Noble

is a charming, quiet town just minutes away from the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, and one of the most affordable communities in Oklahoma. Residents enjoy amenities like a 5A school system, community parks, and many recreational centers. Noble is also known as the “Rose Rock Capital of the World” because this community has an incredibly high concentration of barium sulfate in the soil, which causes the formation of rose rocks.

This town makes third place on our list of most affordable places to live in Oklahoma because of its house price to income ratio. While the average home goes for about $150,100 in Noble, the average income is $82,843, making the home purchasing process very affordable in Noble.

The average commute time in Noble is 24.4 minutes, which is still below the national average of 26 minutes.

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Best places to buy a house in Oklahoma

If you’re looking for a place to really put down roots, you’ll have to consider the housing market and climate in your future city. To pin down those factors, we looked at Realtor.com’s summaries of housing markets and the FEMA Risk Index.

McCord

Population: 1,588

Median home value: $131,800

Median rent: $600

Median household income: $60,625

If you’re in the market for a quaint, safe community with lower-than-average living costs, a steady home value appreciation rate, great schools, and a variety of amenities, look no further than the town of McCord in Osage County.

McCord’s cost of living is 15.6% lower than the U.S. average and boasts a home appreciation rate of 9.9% over the last 10 years. Homes typically go for about $130,000 in McCord, so it’s a great time to buy in this community.

The McCord Public School ranks within the top 10% of all of Oklahoma for test scores, and is ranked as the 107th best public school in Oklahoma among 1700 competitors.

McCord also has a relatively low FEMA Risk Index score of 12.66. It is above the national average by two points, but this is mostly because McCord residents should expect to experience a wide range of seasonal weather conditions!

Overall, McCord’s affordability, positive home appreciation, and great community life make this town a great place to buy a home.

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Goldsby

Population: 2,536

Median home value: $257,900

Median rent: $791

Median income: $82,813

Located in rural McClain County is the town of Goldsby, a tight-knit community surrounded by rolling hills and fresh air, and the perfect place to call home in Oklahoma. Don’t be fooled by this town’s quaint size—Goldsby is home to Oklahoma’s

second largest casino

, several local businesses, an airport, a forest regeneration center, and a lively community center. Residents enjoy a rich community life with access to many modern amenities while maintaining a rural neighborhood feel.

The cost of living in Goldsby is lower than the national average, and homes have been appreciating at a steady rate of 5.3% over the last 10 years, making it a great time to buy. Goldsby also has a relatively low FEMA Risk Index score of 8.64, which is lower than the national and state average.

The biggest risks you’ll face in Goldsby are tornados, hail, and ice storms. Since Goldsby is at relatively low risk for extreme weather and natural disasters, living in Goldsby isn’t just a smart financial decision but a safe one.

Tuttle

Population: 7,634

Median home value: $194,700

Median Rent: $770

Median income: $89,375

Last on our list of best places to buy a home in Oklahoma is

Tuttle

, a steadily growing community in Grady County, 21 miles from Oklahoma City. Tuttle’s economy thrives on its rich agricultural industry, while providing residents with great schools, local shopping, dining experiences, public parks, farmers’ markets, and close proximity to big city amenities.

Homes in Tuttle have been steadily appreciating at a rate of 6.2%, and living costs are 3.5% below the national average. Plus, Tuttle’s FEMA Risk Index score is relatively low at 10.42.

This is below the national and state average, indicating that while Tuttle experiences seasonal weather, it’s unlikely that Tuttle will experience severe conditions or natural disasters.

Considering its home appreciation rate, community amenities, and proximity to Oklahoma City, Tuttle is a great place to lay down permanent roots.

How to find affordable homeowners and car insurance in Oklahoma

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