Moving to Oklahoma?

Top 10 Reasons to move to Oklahoma

Thousands of people are moving to Oklahoma every year for several reasons.

We’ve made a top ten list of why most people move to the Sooner State since you’re considering moving to Oklahoma:

• Oklahoma’s cost of living is lower than the national average:

  Oklahoma has the second-lowest cost of living in the US. In Oklahoma, the cost of living is about 15% less than the national average. The living wage in Oklahoma is $46,159, and the median household income is $51,424.

• Oklahoma is rated as one of the best states for military retirees:

  Oklahoma is one of the best states for military retirees to move in for quality life, economic environment, and healthcare. In addition, there are seven state veterans’ homes in Ardmore, Claremore, Clinton, Lawton, Norman, Sulphur, and Talihina, offering free nursing services for both veterans and their spouses. The state even exempts property tax and sales tax for veterans by 100%.

• Oklahoma is home to some of the best college cities in the U.S.:

  Some of the best colleges and universities in the US are in Oklahoma. The state is home to a mix of public and private large research universities, midsize colleges, and small liberal arts schools. Oklahoma City is the state capital and most colleges and universities are located in the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metropolitan areas. Some of the top-ranking colleges in Oklahoma State include the University of Oklahoma, the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City University, Oral Roberts University, and Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology—Okmulgee.

• The lakes in Oklahoma are beautiful:

  Oklahoma is covered by one million surface acres of water. It has the most number of manmade lakes in the US, each prettier and captivating. Some of the best lakes in Oklahoma are:

  • Broken Bow Lake; McCurtain County
  • Lake Oologah; Rogers & Nowata counties
  • Skiatook Lake; Osage County
  • Eufaula Lake; Haskell, McIntosh & Pittsburg Counties
  • Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees
  • Konawa Lake

   

• Homes are affordable in Oklahoma:

  Since Oklahoma has the second-lowest-cost of living in the US, it is natural that the housing costs are extremely low. An average two-bedroom apartment costs $879 per month and the median home value is $130,001.

• Commute’s time is shorter in Oklahoma:

  Recent studies state that Oklahoma has the 9th shortest commute time in the US. On average, an Oklahoma resident takes 21.7 minutes for the one-way commute to work, which is 18.4% lower than the national average. While driving a car, a resident takes 21.5 minutes for the one-way commute to the office and by public transport, it is 36.7 minutes.

• Oklahoma has a robust economy and booming job market:

  The economy of Oklahoma is highly robust and the job sector is booming. In May, employment rose by 559,000 and the unemployment rate declined by 0.3% to 5.8%. The major booming sectors in Oklahoma are bioscience, insurance, telecommunications, aviation, and energy.

• Oklahoma is a melting pot of culture:

  Oklahoma is a land of diversity and it is home to nearly 4 million people who claim hundreds of cultures. You will see white, American Indian, black, Hispanic, English, Irish, German, Italian, Asian Indian, Vietnamese, Scottish, French, Dutch, and Middle Eastern in Oklahoma. In addition, the state also has a large Hispanic population.

• You’ll enjoy all four seasons in Oklahoma:

  Oklahoma experiences all four seasons with frequent variations. Summers can be oppressive with temperatures stalling out in the 80s and 90s F in the daytime while in the fall, temperatures drop to 60 to 80-degree F and in the winter, it can go dip below the freezing mark, especially at night.

• Oklahomans are friendly, polite, and laid-back people:

  One of the major pluses of Oklahoma is the friendly population here. Oklahomans are ranked as highly cordial and welcoming and they have the reputation of being the kindest and down-to-earth people in the country. In addition, the state has a highly laid-back attitude.

Tip: While moving the home, safety of your belongings is the priority and you need a trustworthy mover at your side. Know the top-rated moving companies in Oklahoma.

Best Places to Live in Oklahoma

Moving to Oklahoma means getting the chance to live in some of the best places in the state. To make it easier for you to choose any of these places, we’ve made a list of the ten best places to live in Oklahoma. Check out the list below:

Cost of Living in Oklahoma

The cost of living in Oklahoma is 83.7. The United States average is 100.

That means the cost of living in Oklahoma is lower than the United States average. Here’s a breakdown of the various costs of living in the Sooner state if you’re moving to Oklahoma:

Oklahoma’s Housing Market

One of the key perks of moving to Oklahoma is affordable homes. More than 70% of Oklahomans are homeowners. Buying a home is a good housing option since you’re considering moving to Oklahoma. Here are key stats about the state’s housing market:

• Oklahoma’s median home cost is $124,800
• Homes in the state has appreciated by 24.9% in the last 10 years
• Presently, Oklahoma homes have appreciated by 5.1%
• More than 70% of Oklahomans are homeowners

How is the job market in Oklahoma?

Moving to Oklahoma could mean getting a new job with new pay. Oklahoma has a robust economy, and the state’s unemployment rate is lower than the national average.

• Oklahoma’s unemployment rate is 4.1%. The national average is 6.0%
• Over the past year, the number of jobs in Oklahoma has risen by 1.8%
• Oklahoma’s future job growth is expected to hit 28.90%

Here’s a simple analysis of Oklahoma’s job market:

What are the top industries in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma is home to several top industries in America. These various large industries are known for propelling the state’s economy. Here are the top industries in the Sooner State since you’re considering moving to Oklahoma:

• Aerospace and defense
• Agribusiness
• Automotive
• Bioscience
• Information and financial services
• Manufacturing
• Renewable energy
• Traditional energy

Tip: When you’ve got a home to move in Oklahoma, getting the best moving quote will be your goal. Request moving company quotes to save on moving cost.

How are taxes like in Oklahoma?

Moving to Oklahoma could mean paying lower or higher taxes depending on where you’re moving from.

We’ve highlighted key stats about the state’s taxes since you’re considering moving to Oklahoma:

• Income tax rate in Oklahoma is 0.50% - 5%
• Cities in Oklahoma have no local income taxes
• Oklahoma sales tax is 4.5% - 11.5%
• The property tax rate in Oklahoma is 0.87 average effective rate
• The gas tax is 19 cents per gallon of regular diesel and gasoline

Best things to do in Oklahoma

There are lots of exciting things to do in Oklahoma. The Sooner State is home to many remarkable attractions along with various exciting activities.

Since you’re considering moving to Oklahoma, here are some of the best things to do in the state:

• Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
• Scissortail Park
• Oklahoma City Thunder Basketball
• Factory Obscura's Mix-Tape
• Horse Shows
• Oklahoma City Zoo's Sanctuary Asia
• Conestoga Wagons & Teepees at Orr Family Farm
• National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
• Oklahoma City Museum of Art
• Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center

Tip: Often, you feel like calculating the moving cost before you connect with a moving company. To help you, we've got a free moving cost calculator.

10 Safest Cities in Oklahoma

If you’re moving to Oklahoma, you’d most likely be interested in living in the safest cities in the state. To help you narrow down your house hunting option, we’ve made a list of the ten safest cities in Oklahoma to help you get started. Check out the list below: