certainly has a lot to offer its residents. But unpredictable weather patterns, high crime rates, and a poor education system may have you thinking twice about living in the Sooner State.

Thinking about moving to the state of Oklahoma? Before you pack up your bags, update your

car insurance

, and hit the road—it’s crucial to understand the pros and cons of living in the South Central region of the United States. That’s why we’ve created this lovely list of the biggest pros and cons of living in Oklahoma for you to consider before taking the leap.

MORE:

How to save on Oklahoma car insurance costs

Let Jerry find you the best homeowners insurance policy for your needs

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Shop Now

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

1. Pro: Incredibly affordable living

According to the

U.S. News & World Report

, Oklahoma is the second most affordable state in the United States. The Sooner State is ranked number eight in cost of living and number three in housing affordability.

The median household income in Oklahoma is $56,956, though you could likely live a comfortable life on much less—especially in rural areas. As of December 2022, the average home price in Oklahoma is about $188,707, as reported by Zillow, but note that this is a 15.2% jump from last year.

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment will greatly depend on where you live, but you should expect to pay under $1,000 per month.

While car ownership isn’t the cheapest in Oklahoma, you will enjoy taking advantage of one of the nation’s lowest gas prices, which is about $.55 per gallon less than the national average. The minimum insurance coverage required is also less expensive compared to the rest of the country on average as well.

MORE:

Everything you need to know about buying a house in Oklahoma

2. Con: Located in the heart of Tornado Alley

Stretching from North Texas to South Dakota, Tornado Alley is an area in the United States that’s prone to deadly tornadoes—and Oklahoma is right at the center of it.

Oklahoma’s tornado season typically lasts from April to June every year, but it’s almost been a decade since the last major twister swept through the state. In May 2013, the Newcastle-South Oklahoma City-Moore area suffered catastrophic damage due to a maximum EF-5 tornado that took the lives of 24 people, injured several others, and caused billions of dollars in damages.

Oklahoma County, right in the center of the state, experiences the most powerful tornadoes by far. So if you live in Oklahoma City, Moore, or Edmond, it’s crucial that you know the proper tornado safety procedures to keep you and your loved ones out of harm's way. And don’t forget to update your

homeowners’ insurance in Oklahoma

while you’re at it!

But it’s not just tornadoes that you have to contend with in the Sooner State. Other extreme weather patterns include severe thunderstorms, hail storms, and mighty winds—just to name a few.

MORE:

Does car insurance cover tornado damage?

3. Pro: Enjoy all four seasons

Okay, we might have scared you a little with all our tornado talk, but besides the looming threat of the state’s yearly tornado season, Oklahoma actually gets to experience all four seasons.

Winters are generally mild in Oklahoma, but on rare occasions, ice storms and snowstorms are not out of the realm of possibility. Spring is usually wet and can either be hot or cool—which explains the predictable formation of tornadoes every year.

Summers can certainly get toasty with little rainfall during the months of June and July, but there are plenty of opportunities to hit the lakes and plan some much-needed barbecues and picnics.

But the best season by far in Oklahoma is Fall—lasting from September to November. Expect cooler temperatures and beautiful fall foliage colors of orange, red, and yellow all around in certain areas.

MORE: How to check for Oklahoma road closures

4. Con: High crime rates in cities

While

violent crime is declining in the Sooner State

, it’s still much higher than the national average. Per FBI data from 2021, there were 434.0 violent crimes per 100,000 people across Oklahoma, compared to the national average of 379.8 violent crimes per 100,000.

Many rural towns in Oklahoma are generally considered safe, but the two largest cities in the state—

Oklahoma City

and

Tulsa

—rank the highest in terms of crime. In fact, Tulsa has a higher-than-average violent crime rate of 588 and a property crime rate of 3,083 per 100,000 as of 2020, according to

U.S. News & World Report

. Oklahoma City does slightly better on crime with a violent crime rate of 461.5 and a property crime rate of 2,848.

If you plan on moving to either one of these cities, make sure you invest in a great security system at home and install

the best vehicle anti-theft devices to keep your car safe

Let Jerry find you the best homeowners insurance policy for your needs

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Shop Now

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

5. Pro: Home to many cultural attractions in midsize cities

While Oklahoma City and Tulsa have less-than-desirable crime rates, both cities are prime locations for the wonderful world of art and culture.

For music lovers, Tulsa is home to the

Woody Guthrie Center

and the newly-opened

Bob Dylan Center

. Both museums are conveniently located next door to one another in the heart of downtown Tulsa if you’re interested in learning about the lives and legacy of two of the greatest folk singers in American history.

But if the visual arts are more your thing, the world-renowned

Philbrook Museum of Art

is a must! Spend a day looking at Renaissance masterpieces and enjoy time in their breathtaking 25-acre Philbrook Gardens. If you’re lucky, you might even run into

Cleome the Garden Cat

There are also plenty of fun happenings in Oklahoma City, including the

Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum

, the

Myriad Botanical Gardens

, and the

Civic Center Music Hall

6. Con: High state and local taxes

Oklahoma might have a low cost of living, but that could all go out the window once you factor in the high state and local taxes. How high? Sales taxes in Oklahoma are 4.5% for all purchases, including necessities, like groceries.

Oklahoma also uses a progressive tax system, with rates ranging from 0.5% to 5%, with the highest income tax rate applying to taxable incomes of just over $7,200 for single filers and $12,220 for married joint filers! So it doesn’t take much to be bogged down by the highest marginal tax rate of 5%.

But on a lighter note, property taxes are relatively low with an average rate of 0.87%. The medium annual property tax paid by Oklahoma homeowners is about $1,278—one of the lowest in the United States.

7. Pro: Enjoy the great outdoors

While most of the state can appear rather dull due to long stretches of flat prairie lands, there are also plenty of beautifully scenic areas throughout the Sooner State for outdoorsy types.

Enjoy hiking, camping, and fishing? Then you’ll want to explore one of the state’s numerous state parks or wildlife refuges, such as the

Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge

Robbers Cave State Park

Beaver’s Bend State Park

, or

Natural Falls State Park

in the mesmerizing Ozark Highlands near the Oklahoma and Arkansas border.

Enjoy swimming near a lovely waterfall?

Turner Falls Park

will be the prime spot for you, which boasts one of the largest waterfalls in Oklahoma at 77 feet tall.

MORE:

The best ghost towns to visit in Oklahoma

8. Con: Poor primary and secondary education

Unfortunately, the kids are not alright in Oklahoma as far as K-12 education is concerned. In fact, according to the annual

Annie E. Casey Kids Count Data Book Survey

, Oklahoma ranks 45th in education and 40th overall in child well-being out of all 50 states.

The survey breaks it down even further to reveal some startling revelations—such as 71% of Oklahoma fourth graders are not proficient in reading and 74% of Oklahoma eighth graders are not proficient in math. This may be due, in part, to the state spending less on education at $2,742 per Oklahoma student compared to the national average of $3,025 per student, according to the

Oklahoma Policy Institute

If you’re a parent moving to Oklahoma, this is an important matter you’ll want to pay close attention to if you have young children.

9. Pro: Native American heritage

After California, Oklahoma has the second-largest Native American population in the United States. There are 38 federally-recognized Native American nations located in the Sooner State, including the Cherokee Nation, Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, Osage Tribe, Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma, and Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma—just to name a few.

Native American culture is present throughout Oklahoma and you’ll find plenty of reservations and museums across the state, like the

Cherokee Heritage Center

in Tahlequah,

Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center

in Spiro, and

Chickasaw Cultural Center

in Sulphur.

Is Oklahoma a good state to live in?

Yes, Oklahoma is a good state to live in, depending on your lifestyle. But like any other state, it also has its downsides. If you’re thinking about moving to the Sooner State, you’ll want to reflect on all the pros and cons that are listed above before you make your final decision.

Oklahoma is a great state for:

Outdoor lovers

History buffs

Families and individuals on a tighter budget

Car owners that don’t need to rely on public transportation

But if you are concerned about crime, high taxes, or the state of public education, you might want to consider another state where these factors are not quite as dire.

“
Jerry
was wonderful! I used it for my auto and renters policies. I trusted it so much that I signed up my homeowners insurance under Jerry as well. All of the agents are amazingly nice and knowledgeable.” —Mary Y.

RECOMMENDED

Compare auto insurance policies

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms

ZIP Code

Find insurance savings

FAQs

Is Oklahoma in Tornado Alley?

Yes—Oklahoma is located in the heart of Tornado Alley, which stretches from North Texas to South Dakota.

What are the winters like in Oklahoma?

In general, winters are considered mild in Oklahoma. Temperatures rarely fall below 10° F, usually fluctuating between 27° and 54° F during the cold winter months from December to February. Snow isn’t common in the state but the occasional ice and snowstorm do happen.

Is Oklahoma racially diverse?

It will depend on your location. If you live in one of the bigger cities, like Oklahoma City or Tulsa, you’ll see greater diversity in the community. But according to the

2020 Census for Oklahoma

, 61.6% of residents are white, while the diversity index is 61.1%—up from 54.9%.

Save an average of 18% by bundling your home and auto insurance

Bundle your home and auto insurance with Jerry and save!

Try Jerry