The 20th largest state in the United States, Oklahoma is known for its pastoral landscapes, welcoming people, and the National Cowboy Hall of fame in Oklahoma City. Even better, Oklahomites also enjoy an unprecedented low cost of living and a booming economy.
You are ready to plan your move and have already contacted a moving and storage company in Houston and cannot wait to enjoy all that Oklahoma has to offer.
All you are missing is an insider’s peek into the ins and outs of calling Oklahoma home. Luckily for you, all you need to do is keep reading to discover if the Sooner State is all it’s cracked up to be. Here is a guide for anyone looking to make the big move to a land of country music, rose rocks –yes, those are a real thing –, sports fanatics, and Route 66!
Top 5 Cities in Oklahoma
With around 50 major cities and nearly 550 towns, from the small village of Lotsee with a cozy two residents to the major hub of arts, music, and museums that is Oklahoma City, there are plenty of amazing places to call home in Oklahoma. If you are looking for the best of the best, here are five amazing cities to put at the top of your list:
Norman
Population
Close to the University of Oklahoma, Norman provides a unique mixture of small-town charm and big-city amenities. The population of Norman was 123,471 in 2018 and is a mere 20 miles away from one of the biggest hubs in Oklahoma, Oklahoma City.
Weather
The temperatures in Norman vary widely, from 31 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter months to a steamy 95 during the summer. The average temperature in Norman is a comfortable 71 degrees Fahrenheit. Norman only receives an average of 5 inches of snow each year, slightly over the national average amount of rainfall each year, and you can expect to see about 237 sunny days each year.
The summers are notorious for being humid and the winters can be slightly frigid. However, with an average temperature in the 70s, you will be able to enjoy afternoons at Lake Thunderbird or an afternoon stroll through the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History.
Cost of Living
The approximate cost of living in Norman, Oklahoma, is approximately $1556 for one person. The monthly salary after tax is $3056. The cost of healthcare is slightly over the national average, with the average price of a doctor’s visit being $151.60 and a visit to the local veterinarian running you approximately $50.59. You will pay around $3 for a loaf of bread, $1.50 for a dozen eggs, and $24.40 for your monthly gym membership.
Education System
There are several excellent elementary schools in Norman, including top-rate McKinley Elementary School and Robin Hill Public School. Your teens will have several options to finish their education, such as Norman North High School and Norman High School. Both schools have achieved the coveted “College Success Award” from Great Schools.
Both high schools have a student body of approximately 2,000 individually. Norman is also the home of the University of Oklahoma. Established in 1890, the University of Oklahoma ranks a respectable 127 in the US News and World Report’s ranking of national universities.
Norman is also home to Moore Norman Technical College, the Michael F. Price College of Business, and the University of Oklahoma University College.
Top Rated Schools
All of the elementary schools in Norman rank at least 7/10, according to Great Schools. A perfect score of 10/10 was achieved by McKinley Elementary school, which has a student population of 411 students and is situated in a highly sought-after neighborhood. In addition to being highly ranked, the University of Oklahoma is also very affordable, with tuition that is far less than the national average.
Job Market
The job market in Norman is very favorable, with an estimated 33.90% future job growth. The average household income is $53,733, and the unemployment rate of 3% is far below the national average. Some of the most in-demand jobs in Norman include registered nurse, patient services representative, and careers in retail, bookkeeping, and accounting.
Average Home Price
As of August 2022, the average home price in Norman, Oklahoma, was approximately $285,000. The median listing home’s price/square footage was $152, and the median sold home price was around $257,000. The average home price has gone up 16% in Norman, which is far less than the national average of 30%.
Average Rental Price
The average rental price for a studio apartment in Norman is $625. A one-bedroom apartment will cost you approximately $927, and a three-bedroom is around $1,030. The cost of rent is consistent throughout most of the top neighborhoods in Norman, including Eisenhower, Jefferson, Madison, and the Cleveland area.
Fun Activities
If fun, family-friendly activities are at the top of your list, Norman is a great choice. If you are a college football fan, and who isn’t, Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on the ground of the University of Oklahoma allows you to cheer on your new favorite Oklahoma football team: the Oklahoma Sooners.
For a more intellectual outing, head to the National Weather Museum and Science Center. This fantastic facility was actually founded by scientists who wanted a place to house some of the most fascinating and historical meteorological instruments. There are also interactive displays for the kids to enjoy.
Owasso
Population
If you are ready to work with your Houston moving company, Owasso is a great destination. The population of Owasso as of 2022 is 40,104. The largest suburb of Tulsa, Owasso, is a relatively young city that was settled in 1881 and officially chartered in 1972.
Weather
Like much of Oklahoma, the temperatures in Owasso can vary widely from 30 degrees Fahrenheit in winter to approximately 94 degrees in summer, although the town has been known to reach temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the peak of summer. Owasso receives around 8 inches of snow every year and has approximately 233 sunny days.
Cost of Living
The average cost of living in Owasso, Oklahoma is nearly $1942 per month. For a family of four, this number is around $4,457. A typical trip to the grocery store is around the national average, with a quart of milk costing less than one dollar, a dozen eggs running around $3.00, and it will cost you around $2.70 for a loaf of bread.
Education System
There is a robust school system in Owasso that supports the 9,035 students who enjoy the K-12 public high school system. The average rating of the Owasso school district is an impressive 10/10 and ranks within the top 10% of schools throughout Oklahoma. According to Great Schools, the best elementary school in the Owasso school district is Ator Elementary School, which has a student population of 499.
Owasso High School, which has a student population of 2,971 students, ranks highly in the state. There are a whopping 9 universities within a 20-mile radius of Owasso, including Franklin University, the University of Tulsa, and Oral Roberts University.
Top-Rated Schools
Owasso is a hop, skip, and jump from two of the best colleges in Oklahoma: Oral Roberts University, which has a total enrollment of 4,317 students and features over 150 majors to choose from. The University of Tulsa is ranked 137 of the colleges in the nation and 89th among the best colleges for veterans. All of the elementary schools in Owasso, from Ator Elementary to Stone Canyon Elementary, rank very high in the state.
Job Market
The average household income in Owasso is $67,340, which is far above the national average. The unemployment rate is 3.1%, and the poverty level, 7.8%, is far below the national average and the Oklahoma average. The job growth over the last few years in Owasso has been positive, and some of the highest paying jobs are in architecture, management, legal, and education.
Average Home Price
The median home selling price is $257,250. The real estate market in Oklahoma, particularly in Owasso, is very competitive, which is why the price of homes has risen approximately $17% over the last few years. However, this is still below the national average. If you are planning a move with a professional moving company from Houston, be aware that homes often receive multiple offers and sell quickly.
Average Rental Price
The cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Owasso, Oklahoma, is $1,079. You can expect to pay $1,259 for a three-bedroom apartment. The rent in Owasso, which is once again a suburb of Tulsa, is far less than the average in nearby Tulsa, which is $1,438. This allows you to enjoy the sights and sounds of Tulsa without the hustle, bustle, and higher price tag.
Fun Activities
Owasso may be a small town, but that does not mean it is short on fun activities for the entire family, even your teenagers. The parents can enjoy a round of golf and a little relaxation at the Bailey Ranch Golf Course. There is also the historical museum that is entirely free and houses some unique and fascinating artifacts from the history of Owasso.
There are plenty of parks and lakes to let your kids have a fun afternoon, including Lake Yahola, Birch Lake, Pretty Water Lake, and Swan Lake Park.
Stillwater
Population
Located in picturesque Payne County, the population in Stillwater, Oklahoma, is 48,936. A city that was dubbed one of the “Friendliest College Town in America,” Stillwater is the place to be for anyone who wants to cheer on their favorite athletes during a college football game at Oklahoma State University or enjoy a dip in Lake Carl Blackwell, which is located just a few miles west of Stillwater.
Weather
Like most of Oklahoma, you can expect to see a mixture of hot, muggy weather in the summer and cooler temperatures in the winter. The average temperatures in Stillwater run anywhere from 28 degrees Fahrenheit to 98 degrees Fahrenheit. Stillwater receives approximately 38 inches of rain each year and 6 inches of snow in the winter, and you can expect to enjoy 238 sunny days every year.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Stillwater is 7.8% less than the rest of the country, with an average cost of living of $1,319 per person. For a family of four, the cost of living is $3,268. The price of staples, including food, housing, and transportation, has risen slightly but is once again below the national average. You can expect to pay less than one dollar for a quart of milk, $2.65 for a dozen eggs, and bread is a reasonable $1.99 per loaf.
Education System
There are 11 grade schools, 5 middle schools, and 3 high schools to choose from in Stillwater. There are five top-rated grade schools that are spread across the town in some of the most desirable neighborhoods in the state. The 3 public and private high schools, Stillwater High School, Trinity Christian School, and Covenant Community Christian School, provide an opportunity for students from all backgrounds to learn.
If your child wants to enjoy the hustle and bustle of a large public high school, Stillwater High School is ranked in the top 30 of all public high schools in Oklahoma. Additionally, Stillwater is the home of Oklahoma State University.
Top Rated Schools
Ranking highest in the state, Westwood Elementary School is a public K-5 school with a smaller student population of 607 students. Richmond Elementary, Skyline Elementary, and Highland Park Elementary also ranked highest in the city. Stillwater High School received the coveted “College Success Award,” as well.
Oklahoma State University is a moderate-sized public university with a student body of 24,649 students. There are over 200 undergraduate majors, 79 master’s programs, and 45 doctoral programs. Students will enjoy the small-town feel and the ability to travel a mere 60 miles to reach either Oklahoma City or Tulsa.
Job Market
The average household income in Stillwater is $57,631, with a median household income of $34,906, which is slightly less than the state’s average. Like most of Oklahoma, the job growth in Stillwater has been steadily rising, with an estimated 29.4% estimated job growth over the next 10 years. The unemployment rate in Stillwater is 3%.
Because Stillwater is a college town, much of the population is employed in the education sector. Other popular occupations include construction, retail, and hospitality.
Average Home Price
The median listing price of homes in Stillwater is $247,200, and the median cost of listing homes price per square foot is $143. The median selling price is $180,600. As with the rest of Oklahoma and the rest of the country, the cost of houses has risen over the last few years in Stillwater, especially in some of the city’s most sought-after neighborhoods, including Westwood and Berry Creek.
It is definitely a buyer’s market right now in Stillwater, so don’t hesitate to contact a Houston moving company right away to secure a quote.
Average Rental Price
Stillwater is the home of Oklahoma State University, which makes it a highly desirable college town and a place where the rental market is booming. However, if you are looking to rent instead of purchase, Stillwater is a great option. This is because the average rent of a one-bedroom apartment in Stillwater, $755, is drastically below the state average and the cities surrounding Stillwater.
Fun Activities
Whether you like football, hiking, biking, museums, or nature preserves, Stillwater offers the best of all worlds. Boone Pickens Stadium on the campus of Oklahoma State University is a great way for you to become involved in Oklahoma college football.
If you and the kids want to connect with nature in a safe and nurturing environment, Lost Creek Safari is a seasonal walk-through zoo that features a variety of animals, from the bat-eared fox and bobcats to zebras and rabbits. Located on the campus of Oklahoma State University, Lake Carl Blackwell is filled with hiking trails, campgrounds, and cabins you can rent for the weekend.
Imagine spending the weekend in a cabin on Lake Carl Blackwood and spending the weekend cheering on the team at Boone Pickens Stadium.
Chickasha
Population
Located in Grady County, Chickasha is a quintessential small town that is the ideal place for a family to plant their roots. The population is a respectable 16,055 residents. If you want the best of both worlds, you can hop on Interstate 44, and in a few short miles, 42 to be exact, you will find yourself in Oklahoma City.
However, there are still plenty of exciting things to enjoy in Chickasha, including the Tiger Safari and Airport Speedway, which specializes in micro-sprint racing.
Weather
Like most of Oklahoma, the weather in Chickasha can run the gamut. You can expect to enjoy high temperatures of 94 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and lows of 25 degrees in the winter. The average snowfall in winter is a mere 2 inches per year and the average rainfall, 34 inches per year, is slightly below the national average of 38 inches per year.
Approximately 67 days of the year in Chickasha experience some kind of precipitation, but you won’t mind when you are basking in the sunlight, which occurs about 234 days out of the year.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Chickasha is 22% lower than the national average, but it is on par with the rest of Oklahoma. You can expect to spend 10% of your household income on groceries and, on average, you will spend $4.27 on a hamburger from a local burger joint, $3.12 on a loaf of bread, and $1.41 on a carton of a dozen eggs. The average doctor visit is approximately $112, and you will spend less than $50 on average to take your dog or cat to the veterinarian.
Education System
Although Chickasha is a relatively small town, there is still a great selection of grade schools, middle schools, and high schools throughout the city. Amongst them is Pioneer Public School, with a student population of 389 students, the slightly larger Grand Avenue Elementary School, and Lincoln Elementary School, one of the oldest schools in Oklahoma.
The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma calls Chickasha home and is strictly a liberal arts college. However, if you want to live in Chickasha but still pursue an education, you can commute to nearby Oklahoma City and enroll in the multiple amazing colleges there.
Top Rated Schools
The top-rated high school in Chickasha, Chickasha High School, provides excellent educational opportunities and a small student body of 622 students. Chickasha High School has also received the “College Success Award.” Pioneer Public Schools rates among the best elementary schools in Chickasha and is known for its students’ above-average test scores, progress, and equality.
Lincoln Elementary School, Grand Avenue Elementary School, and Friend Public School also rank among the best elementary school in the greater Chickasha area.
Job Market
Before you contact a Houston moving company, you, of course, want to know if you will find a great job in Chickasha first. With a low poverty rate and a respectable $48,796 median average income, Chickasha is a great place to live and play. The unemployment rate is 3.7%, much like many other towns in Oklahoma, including the towns discussed here, which is far less than the national average of 6%.
Future job growth is expected to increase by 29.5%, slightly below the national average. Healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and mining are some of the most popular jobs in the Chickasha area. The area is growing, and several retail, service industry, and jobs in the hospitality industry are on the horizon.
Average Home Price
There is no denying that the cost of housing is always on the rise. However, you might be surprised when you realize that the average median listing home price in Chickasha is an astounding $125,500, far less than in surrounding areas. Even more exciting is that the median sold home price is $110,000.
Homes stay on the market in Chickasha for approximately two months, which gives buyers a little wiggle room to find the house of their dreams.
Average Rental Price
In Chickasha, renters can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $1,000 per month, although the average rent is $666 to $679 per month, slightly higher than last year. However, when you compare the average cost of rent in Chickasha to the average cost of rent in Oklahoma City, which is a much higher $950 per month, the rent in Chickasha seems downright reasonable.
Fun Activities
There are plenty of ways to enjoy your weekends in Chickasha, Oklahoma. To start, you can visit Shannon Springs Park. With over 40 acres of trails and landmarks, including the Shannon Springs artesian well, Shannon Springs Park is a great spot to fish during the summer and enjoy the Festival of Lights during the holiday season.
There is plenty of amazing architecture to enjoy throughout Chickasha, including the Rock Island Depot. In the past, Chickasha was a central hub of the railroad system, and the Rock Island Depot is a beautifully preserved reminder of this past. If you want a quick bite, there are plenty of restaurants and pubs you can also frequent in the greater Chickasha area.
Anadarko
Population
Otherwise known as the “Indian Capital of the World,” Anadarko is a city that appreciates its rich cultural heritage. The population of Anadarko in 2022 is 5,541, and sits a mere 55 miles from one of the entertainment hubs of Oklahoma: Oklahoma City. Anadarko is the home to seven tribes of the Native American Nation and boasts several notable museums, including the Anadarko Heritage Museum and the Southern Plains Indian Museum.
Weather
If these numbers sound familiar, it is because Anadarko’s average temperatures in Anadarko range anywhere from 30 degrees Fahrenheit to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it has been known to reach temperatures of around 17 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter.
On average, Anadarko receives 33 inches of rain each year and 2 inches of snow, and you will see about 232 sunny days throughout the year.
Cost of Living
If the culture and museums in Anadarko don’t make you want to contact a moving company in Houston, then the low cost of living will. The cost of living in Anadarko is 14.6% lower than the national average. The average cost of goods and services is slightly lower than the rest of Oklahoma, and you will typically pay $1.87 for a gallon of milk and $95 for a visit to your primary doctor.
Education System
For being such a small town, there are an impressive 6 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 3 high schools in Anadarko. There are only 1,617 students spread out through all of the elementary, middle, and high schools in Anadarko, meaning your child will receive more one-on-one attention and smaller class sizes.
There are no colleges, technical colleges, or universities in the town of Anadarko. However, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is only 16 miles away from the other top-rated city of Chickasha.
Top Rated Schools
Of the elementary schools in Anadarko, the two top-rated are Anadarko East Elementary School which has an impressive 16.9 student-to-teacher ratio, which is on par with the national average of 16. Mission Elementary School is the other top-rated elementary school and has a population of 346 students. Anadarko High School is the top-rated high school in the area, and the percentage of graduates who pursued an in-state college or vocational degree is on-par with the national average.
Job Market
Being such a small town, the job market in Anadarko is booming. The unemployment rate is a mere 3.9%, and the future job growth is expected to rise to 38.8%, which is higher than the national average. The income tax rate is approximately the same as the rest of the United States at 5%. The average salary is slightly lower at $28,750. However, when you consider the lower-than-average cost of living, the average salaries in Anadarko mean that you will be able to comfortably raise a family.
Average Home Price
To say that it is a buyer’s market in Anadarko is a huge understatement, especially when you consider that the average median listing home price is a mere $64,7000. The median sold home price is $120,000. There are a good variety of affordable, two-bedroom family homes in the Anadarko area that are perfect for you to fix up and enjoy or flip to make some quick cash.
Average Rental Price
The rental prices in Anadarko are roughly the same as the surrounding small towns in and around Oklahoma City. An average studio apartment in Anadarko is $661 per month. A one-bedroom apartment will cost you $809 on average each month, although the prices of a typical one-bedroom apartment in Anadarko vary rapidly.
A typical three-bedroom apartment is slightly higher than other small towns in Oklahoma, and on average, a month of rent is $1,033.
Fun Activities
The people of Anadarko are very proud of their rich Native American history. A testament to the area’s amazing cultural heritage can be found at the Southern Plains Indian Museum.
Originally opened in 1948 with assistance from the United States Department of the Interior and the government of Oklahoma, the Southern Plains Indian Museum houses an impressive collection of several Native American tribes that have called the Anadarko area home, including the Caddo, Comanche, Delaware Nation, and the Southern Cheyenne tribe.
Anadarko may have a small-town vibe, but there is vibrant nightlife and plenty of restaurants. With the city’s close proximity to Oklahoma City, there are endless things you can find to enjoy if you decide to contact a moving company in Houston to start your adventure in Anadarko.
Is Oklahoma Safe?
For many parents, their biggest concern is their child’s safety. On the most basic level, parents want to ensure that before they hire a Houston moving company to relocate to Oklahoma, they want the answer to a very simple question: Is Oklahoma safe? In a word, yes, there are several safe cities in Oklahoma that you can call home. Here are a few.
Safest Cities
Porter Hill
Located in Comanche County, Porter Hill ranks in the 79th percentile for safety when compared to other average cities in the United States. The rates of violent crime, including assault and robbery, property crime, and other miscellaneous crimes, are far lower than in other towns and cities of similar size in Oklahoma.
Lone Grove
A very small town with a population of just over 5,000 people, Lone Grove, is located in Carter County and is far and away one of the safest places to live in Oklahoma. If you can’t take our word for it, talk to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which found that the crime rate in Lone Grove is approximately 1,688.3 per 100,000 people. This is far below the national average crime rate of 2,346 per 100,000 people.
As a matter of fact, there has only been one robbery, 10 car thefts, and no murders reported in Lone Grove in 2022.
Guymon
With a population of just under 13,000 people, by Oklahoma standards, Guymon is a sprawling metropolis. With more people, you would expect higher crime rates. However, you will be pleasantly surprised to learn that in Guymon, you are very safe to raise a family. Located in Texas County in the panhandle of Oklahoma, Guymon has a crime rate of 1,581 per 100,000 people.
There were very few reports of serious crimes in Guymon throughout the first part of 2022, including robbery, aggravated assault, murder, and robbery.
Jenks
If you want to enjoy all the amenities a big city has to offer but still want the safety and security that comes with living in a smaller community, Jenks is the best place for you. Jenks has a population of 25,949. The most common type of crime that occurs in Jenks is property crime, meaning vandalism, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson.
Your chances of being the victim of a violent crime in Jenks are also very low, with an average rate of about 1 in 998.
Bixby
Stretched between both Tulsa and Wagoner Counties, in 2018, Bixby had a population of 27,454 residents. The overall crime rate in Bixby is 42% below the national average, and the rate of violent crimes in Bixby is an impressive 82% lower than the rest of the United States. If you need a little more convincing that Bixby is safe, here is another unbelievable statistic: The crime rate in Bixby continues to decrease at a rate of 10% each year.
In Conclusion
Now that you know a tad more about Oklahoma, what are you waiting for? There are plenty of sites to behold, amazing people to meet, and landscapes to explore throughout the great state of Oklahoma. Go ahead and call a Houston moving company such as Delta Moving Systems and start your adventure in the great state of Oklahoma.
