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Best Places To Live in Oklahoma

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Best Places To Live in Oklahoma

Affordability, outdoor adventures and diverse culture attract residents to the Sooner State. Here are the best places to live in Oklahoma.

By Livability on February 28, 2024

Oklahoma is more than just OK — it’s a great place to live, grow a family or launch a business. Located in the South Central region of the country, the Sooner State stands out due to its affordable cost of living compared to the rest of the country, including in areas such as transportation, health care, housing and utilities. 

The state — with plentiful rivers, forests and three distinct mountain ranges — affords many opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Oklahoma’s cultural history is diverse, with more than 38 Native American tribes that call the state home. That diversity contributes to the thriving arts scene, where you will find traditional weaving, pottery, beadwork and other Native American crafts.

Aviation, oil and gas production, food processing, agriculture and telecommunications drive the economy in Oklahoma. In addition, Oklahoma is known for its country music stars, astronauts (who, by the way, have been involved in every phase of our country’s space program) and the longest driveable stretch — 426 miles — of Route 66 in the entire nation! Read on to learn more about the best places to live in Oklahoma.

Broken Arrow

Children play in an interactive splash pad in the revitalized downtown Rose District in Broken Arrow, OK.
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Children play in an interactive splash pad in the revitalized downtown Rose District in Broken Arrow, OK.

Broken Arrow is a best city in Oklahoma.

Located just outside Tusla, Broken Arrow is a great place to raise a family and to retire, offering both a low cost of living and affordable housing, so it’s easy to see why it tops our list of best places to live in Oklahoma. It even earned a spot on Livability.com’s 2023 list of Best Places to Live in the U.S.  

Retail, manufacturing and service-based industries are some of the primary industry sectors in this city of 115,000 people. Recent investments, such as the state-of-the-art flight simulator facility built by Flight Safe International and a planned 90-acre mixed-use Innovation District, are bolstering the local economy. RCB Bank, FlightSafety International and St. John-Broken Arrow are some of the city’s large employers. No wonder so many young professionals are flocking to the area! St. John Broken Arrow offers comprehensive care for residents and has been honored for its knee and hip replacement surgeries. Broken Arrow is known as veteran-friendly, with several places where you can pay your respects to America’s military men and women. Bro

What’s the downtown area like in Broken Arrow?

The Rose District, the name of Broken Arrow’s revitalized downtown area, features excellent locally owned shops, terrific restaurants and breweries, farmers markets, a fun interactive splash pad and various events.

Read more about living in Broken Arrow, OK.

Edmond

Colorful tulips surround a sculpture of a boy climbing a tree in Edmond, OK. Edmund is a best place to live in Oklahoma.
Alamy/Gina Dittmer
Scope out one of the many pieces of public art on a self-guided bicycle public art tour throughout the city of Edmond, OK, a growing suburb of Oklahoma City.

Edmond is a best place to live in Oklahoma.

Named as one of the best places to live in the U.S. for 2023 by Livability.com, Edmond gets high marks for its schools, health care, low cost of living and exceptional quality of life — and it’s known as one of the safest cities in the country! Located just north of Oklahoma City, with a population of over 95,000, Edmond’s vibrant downtown area is a big draw, full of cute boutiques, tasty restaurants and the location for many exciting annual events. Higher ed offerings include the University of Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma Christian University, and the city is proud of its highly-rated public schools. In addition, Edmond boasts a robust arts scene — with a commitment to public art — and plenty of parks and trails to explore, including Arcadia Lake and the Arcadia Lake Trail.

What’s the health care industry like in Edmond?

This industry sector thrives in Edmond, with two hospitals, a surgical center, and many doctors’ offices, significantly boosting the local economy. This health-oriented city has translated into making Edmond a flourishing community with a longer life expectancy for residents.

Read more about living in Edmond, OK.

Norman

A view of the Santa Fe Depot in Norman, Oklahoma. Norman is a great city to live in Oklahoma.
Getty Images/Bob Weston
A view of the Santa Fe Depot in Norman, Oklahoma.

Norman is a great city to live in Oklahoma.

Norman is a college town — home to the University of Oklahoma and more than 31,000 Sooners! But Norman goes beyond just being a college town. The city of more than 129,000 — named as a Best Place to Live in the U.S. for 2023 by Livability.com — has an energetic live music scene, museums and a wealth of performing arts. The downtown area is perfect for shopping and dining, and there are outdoor activities for those who like to breathe the air and find their own path. George M. Sutton Wilderness Park is a popular place to run, bike or walk and discover exciting habitats. Lake Thunderbird State Park is great for swimming, fishing, camping and horseback riding. Aerospace, education and health care are the most significant industry sectors in the city.  

How does the university contribute to Norman?

The University of Oklahoma has the largest meteorological school in the country, so it makes sense that the National Weather Service has an office in Norman, with both state and federal weather agencies here, too. In addition, the community enjoys the school’s sporting and cultural events, and once UO moves to the SEC in 2024, that will bolster the economy of Norman even more.

Read more about living in Norman, OK.

Oklahoma City

A view of Bricktown in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
iStock/Sean Pavone
A view of Bricktown in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. OKC is one of the most populated cities in the country.

Oklahoma City is a best city in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma City offers all the benefits of a large metropolitan area without the hefty price tag. The city — known for its cowboy culture — is one of the most populated places in the country, with nearly 700,000 people. OKC has a reputation as an aeronautics city because it has the largest concentration of aviation and aerospace firms in the state. The city’s growing economy includes other large industries such as biotechnology, energy, business services and transportation and logistics. As the seat of government for the state, this sector makes up more than 20% of Greater Oklahoma City’s employment. Of course, OKC has an abundance of arts and cultural attractions and festivals, as well as numerous history sites and more than 170 parks to explore! Famous folks from the city include Brad Pitt, Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Will Rogers and Mickey Mantle.

What is Oklahoma City best known for?

Oklahoma City is known as the Horse Show Capital of the World because of its exceptional equestrian facilities. The city hosts many of the top national and world championship horse shows, including the Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show and the American Quarter Horse Association World Show.

Read more about living in Oklahoma City, OK.

Tulsa

A view of the cityscape from a park in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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A view of the cityscape from a park in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tulsa is loaded with family-friendly amenities.

Tulsa is a best place to live in Oklahoma.

Situated along the Arkansas River, Tulsa offers residents a steady economy with diverse employment opportunities and is known as the epicenter of the energy industry. This dynamic city of more than 419,000 people has an exciting arts and entertainment scene, fabulous restaurants and a wide variety of family-friendly things to do, including playgrounds, a zoo, an aquarium and a children’s museum. The well-known Philbrook Museum of Art is located in an Italianate villa that was once the home of a local oil magnate. Tulsa is also safe and welcoming, making it attractive for both young professionals and retirees alike. Lakes, wilderness areas and golf courses also draw residents who like to get outside and play. Tulsa boasts pro hockey, baseball and soccer teams and several area colleges, both public and private, serve students in the area. This just scratches the surface when it comes to reasons to move to Tulsa.

What is distinctive about the buildings in Tulsa?

Tulsa is home to one of the country’s largest collections of art deco architecture. Buildings such as the Oklahoma Natural Gas Building, Will Rogers Theater, and the Tulsa Union Depot show off this style typical of the 1920s-’30s with their sleek geometric stylized forms and man-made materials.

Read more about living in Tulsa, OK.

Thinking of moving to Oklahoma?

Finding a great place to live in Oklahoma doesn’t have to be a chore. We have more resources for moving to Oklahoma as well as other best places to live in the Southeast. No matter where you want to live, we can help you decide where to move and discover the best places to live in the U.S.

Other great places to live near Oklahoma

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