Living in Oklahoma City: What You Need to Know

There’s a fun saying that Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is “the biggest small town you’ll ever see.” If you’re thinking about moving there, you’re in good company! Thousands of people have moved to Oklahoma City in the past decade, whether for good job opportunities, great schools or the small-town feel coupled with city-life attractions.

And all signs point to even more growth. Oklahoma City was recently named the #2 best city for first-time home buyers in the U.S.⁽¹⁾ It’s also ranked as one of the top 10 cities to raise a family.⁽²⁾ No wonder it’s becoming more and more popular!

So how do you know if Oklahoma City is the right fit for you?

We talked to one of our RamseyTrusted real estate agents in that area, Breann L., to find out what makes Oklahoma City so special. Breann was born and raised in Oklahoma City and she’s been a full-time real estate agent there since getting her license in 2006. She’s helped hundreds of people find their dream homes and she’s an expert when it comes to all things Oklahoma City.

What’s It Like Living in Oklahoma City?

True to its Midwest reputation, Oklahoma City is the best of both worlds —it has a small-town community vibe with all the perks of city life.

“I just love the feel of Oklahoma City,“ Breann says. “We have an amazing city, and it’s a lot bigger than most people realize.” But she says it’s more than just a growing city. “It still has a very Southern, close-knit feel. People are so kind and welcoming. There’s also so much to do!”

“I just love the feel of Oklahoma City. We have an amazing city, and it’s a lot bigger than most people realize. It still has a very Southern, close-knit feel. People are so kind and welcoming. There’s also so much to do!” —Breann, L.

If you’re looking for recreation, look no further. Oklahoma City offers local restaurants, entertainment options, museums and plenty of gardens and parks to enjoy. The growing economy has also brought lots of job opportunities—especially for people in energy, aviation, healthcare or industrial fields.

Another big perk to life in Oklahoma City is how easy it is to get around. The average travel time into work is about 20 minutes, which beats the national average commute time by about five minutes.⁽³⁾ That’s less time on the road and more time in your day!

“You can live in the country and still be 20 minutes to downtown,” Breann says. “Or you can live right in the downtown area and be within walking distance to all of your favorite restaurants and parks. You’re not going to get bored living here.”

“You can live in the country and still be 20 minutes to downtown. Or you can live right in the downtown area and be within walking distance to all of your favorite restaurants and parks. You’re not going to get bored living here.” —Breann L.

What to Do in Oklahoma City

First, you’ll want to eat a good meal. Lucky for you, Oklahoma City has become well known for its restaurant scene, which boasts lots of locally owned spots and a few chains. Grab a burger after work at Nic’s Grill or try the highly rated Kitchen No. 324 for your next Saturday brunch.

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When the weather is nice, you can check out the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden and even catch a concert at its outdoor amphitheater. Cheer on the Oklahoma City Thunder pro basketball team at Chesapeake Energy Arena or watch the Oklahoma City Dodgers minor league baseball team play at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Looking for a cool arts scene? Check! Visit the Oklahoma City Museum of Art to view its collection and short-term exhibits. Or stop by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, which holds more than 28,000 art pieces and artifacts.

Cost of Living in Oklahoma City

Those who want more bang for their buck will be glad to know Oklahoma City has a cost of living score of 91.5, compared to the national average of 100. What does that mean for you if you’re considering a move? Basically, you can expect your dollar to go a lot further than it would in most U.S. cities. 

Let’s say you’re moving from Atlanta, Georgia, where you make $60,000 per year. To maintain your same lifestyle in Oklahoma City, you would only need to make $47,574 a year.⁽⁴⁾

What makes Oklahoma City so affordable? The short answer is housing. According to 2018 data from Kiplinger, Oklahoma City has one of the most affordable median home prices compared to other U.S. cities.⁽⁵⁾

Oklahoma City’s median house price was $148,000 in 2018, compared to the national median of $240,000.⁽⁶⁾ That’s a pretty big difference and a huge benefit to potential home buyers!

Local Economy

Great news, job seekers! Oklahoma City is one of the top 25 metro areas with the fastest-growing job markets, according to a study conducted in 2017.⁽⁷⁾ That’s really good news if you’re thinking about moving there!

Local industries include everything from oil and natural gas to aviation, and Oklahoma City is home to the largest livestock market in the world. The city is also a hub for healthcare, energy and retail companies.⁽⁸⁾

Some of the largest employers in the area include companies like Hobby Lobby, AT&T and Devon Energy. There are a lot of opportunities in energy, aviation, healthcare, oil and natural gas.⁽⁹⁾

Oklahoma City’s unemployment rate is 3.9%—right on track with the national average, and the median household income in the metro area was $56,260 in 2017.^(10,11,12)

Education

When it comes to raising a family in Oklahoma City, it’s good to know you’ll have a lot of school options. There are more than 120 primary and secondary schools and many of those have high ratings, according to GreatSchools.⁽¹³⁾ Some of the best school districts in the area are Oakdale, Tuttle, Robin Hill, Bethany, Edmond, Deer Creek and Piedmont.⁽¹⁴⁾

Looking for higher education opportunities? You’re in luck. Oklahoma City is home to several large universities like Oklahoma City University, University of Oklahoma, University of Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma City Community College.

Climate

If you want to live in a place with four seasons, you’ll definitely find that in Oklahoma City. Temperatures in the summer months hover around the 80s and, in the winter, you’ll likely see some days in the 30s. Summers are known for being hot and humid and, in the winter, you’ll get the occasional snowfall or ice storm.⁽¹⁵⁾

The city receives about 36 inches of rain per year (less than the national average) and there are about 230 sunny days (higher than the national average).⁽¹⁶⁾

However, you should be prepared to hear the occasional tornado siren. Oklahoma City is known for its location in Tornado Alley, so watch out for severe weather—especially in April and May.

Real Estate Market Trends

Breann has watched the way the city has transformed and grown during the past several decades. In her opinion, one of the best things about buying a house in Oklahoma City is you know you’re making a good investment.

“The market tends to be pretty stable,” she says. Home values typically increase over time, which makes it a great place to buy if you plan on living there for at least a few years.

Breann says the city’s growth really took off in 2004 when the downtown revitalization process started. Since then, she’s seen more and more young professionals and families move to the city.

That trend has led to an increase in new construction builds in the city, which is great for those who want to customize certain parts of their home. “Within 10 minutes of downtown, you can find just about any type of new house that you want,” Breann says.

Best Neighborhoods in Oklahoma City

There’s something for everyone here: city life, country life, great schools, art districts and small-town communities.

There are several areas that offer different perks depending on what you’re looking for.

Downtown

The downtown area is very walkable, so it’s a great place to live if you want to be close to restaurants and shops. The Myriad Botanical Gardens recently renovated its distinctive Crystal Bridge Conservatory, and there are plans for a much larger part to be completed in 2021.

Historic District

North of downtown, there’s a historic district that attracts a lot of young home buyers. This area tends to be a little pricey because you’re paying for the convenience of being so close to the action of the city.

Suburbs

So how about the suburbs? Those areas have become even more attractive to potential home buyers as Oklahoma City has grown. Edmond is a suburb north of Oklahoma City with a steep price point and a highly rated school district. Norman is on the south side, close to the University of Oklahoma. It offers high-end homes with a down-to-earth feel.

On the east side, you’ve got Midwest City. This area is great for people who want to live in the country and own land. On the west side, there are cities like Yukon—which attracts visitors with annual festivals in its historic downtown area.

Having trouble choosing? There are so many great areas in Oklahoma City that Breann says it’s easy for house hunters to feel lost and overwhelmed. That’s where an agent’s expertise can be a huge help in the home-buying process.

“When you work with an agent, they’ll point you in the right direction,” she says. “An agent will make recommendations based on your lifestyle, and that makes it so much less stressful.”

“When you work with an agent, they’ll point you in the right direction. An agent will make recommendations based on your lifestyle, and that makes it so much less stressful.”  —Breann L.

Find a Real Estate Agent in Oklahoma City

Buying or selling a home is a big deal, and you want to team with someone who knows what they’re doing. This is not the time to work with your aunt who just got her real estate license or your buddy from church who has sold a few homes. You want a true expert who sells dozens of homes every year and has tons of experience in your market.

Looking for an expert? Connect with a pro from the RamseyTrusted program. We only recommend like-minded real estate agents you can trust. They’re trusted pros who know Dave’s principles inside and out and they’re committed to helping you find a home you love. We designed the RamseyTrusted program with you in mind, and our agents care more about you than their commission.

Connect with an OKC agent now!