If you’re considering moving to Oklahoma City, be prepared for a high cost of living, lots of walking, and some next-level fog—but for young professionals, foodies, and transit lovers, it might just be the ideal spot.
Right on the line between the South and the Midwest, Oklahoma City has a fascinating history. Originally inhabited by Native Americans, OKC was officially settled in the late 1800s when the U.S. government offered up free land to settlers.
Today, OKC covers 621 square miles. Locals are well known for their generosity—in 2005, the city opened its doors to victims of Hurricane Katrina. Oklahoma City is a vibrant community with great food, epic rodeos, and a bright future. But is it the right place for you?
If you’re thinking about moving to Oklahoma City, it’s time to consider the pros and cons carefully. To help you out, the trusted super app
for car and renters insurance
savings, Jerry
, has created this quick guide. From the cost of living to job prospects, here’s everything you need to know about moving to Oklahoma City! RECOMMENDEDNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
What you need to know about Oklahoma City before you move
Bordering Texas and Kansas, Oklahoma is often overlooked by people looking for a place to relocate in the region. But OKC offers a heady mix of low-cost city life, exciting outdoor activities (like the rodeo), and plentiful employment opportunities. This might just be the perfect place to set down roots. Here are a few key things you need to know about OKC before you move.
1. OKC offers city life at an affordable price
The average cost of living index in the U.S. is set at 100. In Oklahoma City, the cost of living index is 84.4. That means that life here is much cheaper than in most of the country!
Let’s start with housing costs. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the greater OKC area is about $800 per month. A four-bedroom home will cost you about $1,500. If you are considering purchasing property, you’ll be glad to know that the property tax rate here is just 1.06%. OKC has a lot of suburbs, so you should be able to find a home if you prefer suburban life to skyscraper living.
What about your daily bread? Well, that’s pretty affordable here, too. Expect to spend about $4 for a cappuccino and just $3 for a beer. A dozen eggs are just $1. There are serious perks to living in the hub of a major agricultural area!
Low costs mean nothing if you’re not earning very much. But the good news is that the median income in Oklahoma City is $55,557—the minimum wage is just $7.25 per hour, though.
2. Job opportunities are growing, though wages could be higher
There is impressively low unemployment in Oklahoma City. In fact, OKC was named a top-10 city for college grads
by Zumper. In terms of industries, moving to Oklahoma City will open up a wide variety of jobs for you. OKC has the world’s largest livestock market—but it’s also a major energy hub. Chesapeake Energy and Devon Energy are two popular employers here.
Manufacturing, biotech, aviation, and tech startups are booming in OKC as well. If you have ever considered launching your own enterprise, OKC might be the perfect place to hang your shingle.
3. Crime rates are worrying
While Oklahoma City has less crime than Shawnee and Tulsa, it is still a fairly violent city when compared with national statistics. In fact, it’s almost twice as violent as the national average.
Last year, there were 867 violent crimes per 100,000 people in OKC and 4,027 property crimes per 100,000 people.
Car theft is unfortunately a major problem in this city. The rate of auto theft in OKC was 5.58 per 1,000 people, versus the national figure of 2.45. If you end up moving to Oklahoma City, make sure to invest in some extra car security (bonus: it could earn you a discount on your car insurance
!). 4. It’s got a ton of kids, a ton of dogs, and a lot of family-friendly activities
About 25% of the population of OKC is 18 and under. That’s a lot of young people! The youthful vibes in this city mean that you’ll find a lot of family-friendly activities.
However, while the city’s zoos and museums are certainly fun to explore, Oklahoma is actually ranked one of the worst
states to raise a family. It ranked poorly on a national survey for health and safety as well as education and childcare. On the other hand, your dogs will love living in OKC. A lot of the city’s bars and patios are open to your canine pals, and there are plentiful dog parks and natural areas for your pups to explore. There is a citywide limit
of four dogs per household, but that’s just a sign of how much Okies love dogs! 5. Car ownership is absolutely necessary
There is some public transit in Oklahoma City, but it doesn’t usually extend to the suburban areas where commuters need it most. So, you’ll need a car to get around.
Traffic is annoying everywhere, but it can be especially scary in Oklahoma City. It’s one of the worst cities
for accidents, road quality, and risky driving behavior. Poor infrastructure means that you might face potholes, worn-out roads, and decrepit overpasses. Of course, failing infrastructure is pretty normal for most of America. Still, it’s worth taking this type of information into account because it can affect your car insurance rates. Cities with more accidents are considered more dangerous, so drivers are charged higher rates to account for the increased risk.
6. You’ll get all four seasons, but climate change is making things worse
Life in the prairies is brutal—and beautiful. All year round, you will be faced with epic seasonal weather.
In winter, the average low is 27°F. Expect about six inches of snow per year. OKC gets an average of 36 inches of rain per year. In the peak of summer, temperatures get up to 93°F or more.
The good news is that you can enjoy spring, summer, fall, and winter in Oklahoma City. You get the frozen winds of winter for a cheerful holiday season and the relief of a sunny summer afterward.
The bad news is that floods and droughts are becoming more common due to climate change. There is also a moderate risk of wildfire in Oklahoma City. Oh, and OKC is in the heart of Tornado Alley
. Be careful about where you choose to live here, and make sure you get the right home
or renters insurance
to protect your assets against these threats. 7. You can call it OKC, but do not call it Oak City
Nicknames are important—and the words you use to describe the city will signal to locals where you’re from. If you want to blend in, call it OKC (pronounced O-K-C).
If you want to stand out, call it Oak City and everyone will know you’re from out of town. Of course, you’re only a few seconds of conversation away from becoming friends with a stranger in OKC, so maybe it’s okay to stand out!
Does Oklahoma City live up to its stereotypes?
In some ways, yes, Oklahoma City lives up to its stereotypes. This is a city of friendly, hard-working, innovative people who like rodeos and country music. Oakies worship at the altar of the Sooners and the OKC Thunder about as often as they go to church (and that’s often!).
But there’s a lot more to OKC than popular tropes. Yes, the chicken fried steak is fantastic but so are restaurants like Ma Der Lao Kitchen
and Nunu’s Mediterranean Cafe
. Not everyone in this city works for the oil and gas companies. You’re just as likely to find a third-generation cowboy as a member of the long-standing Cherokee Nation. Generosity and friendliness are key characteristics of Oakies. So, if you’re excited about an affordable cost of living and all four seasons, you’re bound to find friendly neighbors to welcome you to your new city. If you’re not sure about the car-dependent lifestyle or the crime rates here, then perhaps moving to OKC isn’t the right decision.
To help make your decision easier, let’s consider a few things you’ll need to do in the course of moving. Transitioning to a new city is hard enough—why not do the important research ahead of time?
Key Takeaway The low cost of living is enticing in Oklahoma City, but high crime rates and the car-dependent lifestyle may not work for all.
Finding a place to live in Oklahoma City
Number one on your to-do list is finding a place to live. You’re in luck because housing prices in Oklahoma City are still pretty affordable.
If you plan to rent, you should budget about $800 a month for a one-bedroom apartment near the city. Looking to buy? The average home price is currently $225,000, with prices increasing less than 5% in the past year. If you’re moving to Oklahoma City soon, you can capitalize on these affordable prices, too!
You should know that OKC is surrounded by suburbs. In fact, it’s basically a bunch of suburbs knitted together around the urban core. This means that you can probably find a proper home to live in—either to rent or to buy—without sacrificing access to downtown.
Next up, you’ll need to pick your neighborhood so you can budget properly. Naturally, the areas closest to downtown are more expensive. But go a little further out and you’ll save money with only a small increase in your commute time. To pick the right area, think carefully about your commuting needs, and access to nightlife, grocery stores, and dog parks.
Here’s a quick overview of some of Oklahoma City’s most popular neighborhoods:
Most iconic neighborhoods: Bricktown Entertainment District
Best neighborhoods if you’ve got kids: Bethany, Crown Heights, Mustang
Best neighborhoods for foodies: Bricktown, Automobile Alley, Paseo Arts District
Most affordable neighborhoods: Mesta Park, Del City, Spencer, Forest Park
If you can, try to spend a few days exploring different neighborhoods before moving to Oklahoma City. Check out the local offerings to find the right fit.
Pro Tip If you want to make life even more affordable, look for roommates and enjoy downtown living at the cost of suburban life.
MORE:Cheap car insurance if you rent an apartment
Moving to Oklahoma City checklist
Found a place to live? Fantastic! Now, you need to actually make the move. We’ve gathered up some helpful checklists to make sure you don’t forget anything on the journey from packing your first box to eating pizza on your first night in your new home.
Before you go
Before you move, make sure to:
Find a good moving company. Do this early if you’re moving during peak time, like late summer. If you’re moving by yourself, book a U-Haul that can fit all your stuff.
Pack up all your stuff. This always takes longer than you think, so don’t be afraid to ask your friends for help!
Tell your landlord, employer, utility company, and insurance provider that you’re moving.
If you’re moving from out of state with your car, consider shipping it to Oklahoma City.
Book plane tickets—or make it a road trip to remember
!
After you get there
Once you cross into the Sooner State, your work isn’t over yet. Remember to take care of these final items to ensure your new life in Oklahoma City goes smoothly:
If you moved with a car from another state, remember to register your car in Oklahoma and update your insurance.
Look for a renters’ insurance policy to protect yourself and your belongings (and your wallet!). Remember that every roommate needs their own policy.
Go into your online accounts and update your mailing address, voter registration, and healthcare information.
Get out and explore! It won’t feel like home until you have a coffee shop where they know your name— or you find that perfect selfie corner.
How to save on car, renters, and home insurance in Oklahoma City
Whether you’re buying a house in Del City or renting downtown, insurance is an unavoidable cost of moving to Oklahoma City. After all the effort you put into relocating, don’t you want to protect your assets in their new home?
Get help from the insurance super app, Jerry
. Jerry can help you find savings on every type of coverage, from your Oklahoma City car insurance
to your homeowners insurance—with or without bundling them
! A new zip code means that you could be eligible for a different rate. Find out fast with Jerry! The app is lightning fast and easy to use. Jerry compares rates from top companies, then allows you to tweak until you’re happy.
When you want to sign up for a new policy, just tap to commit. Jerry does all the paperwork and phone calls so that you can enjoy your new city. Best of all, the average Jerry user saves more than $800 per year. If you’re moving to Oklahoma City, you could put that $800 toward a full month of rent!
“WOW. Jerry
has been so easy to use. I called a representative when I wanted some clarification, and they walked me through the entire process of finding a new rate for full coverage on my luxury vehicle.” —Beth G.
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