Cost Of Living - Give Yourself A Raise
In Oklahoma, our low costs mean you can increase your standard of living substantially. Our low costs mean more for your dollar, more out of life.
More Time to Enjoy Life--Oklahoma Drive Times Among the Nation's Shortest
Tulsa average one-way commute: 16.8 minutes (second shortest among cities of 250,000+); Oklahoma City average one-way commute: 17.8 minutes (fourth shortest) Source: US Census Bureau
Oklahoma City ranks 6th and Tulsa 10th as the most drivable of 77 cities surveyed across the country. Source: MSN.com
Fodor's 2002 Travel Guide listed Tulsa as one of 10 outstanding travel destinations in North America. Tulsa was also ranked in the top 10 southern cities by Southern Living magazine.
More for Less
Oklahoma has the fourth lowest total tax burden in the nation. When combining federal, state and local taxes, Oklahoma ranks #47, making ours a very affordable state in which to live and do business. Read more.
Combine that low tax burden with the ACCRA Cost of Living Index--released quarterly--and cities across Oklahoma represent some of the least expensive places to live in the country. For example, according to fourth quarter 2006 data, Stillwater had an index of 89.5--10.5 percent below the U.S. average. Pryor had an index of 84.3, and Oklahoma City and Tulsa reported indexes of 93.3 and 92, respectively. By comparison, Manhattan, New York had a cost of living index at 214.7.
When considering housing, the dollar definitely stretches farther in Oklahoma with some of America's most affordable property. A recent study by Coldwell Banker states a 2,200 square-foot home costing $130,000-$135,000 in Oklahoma would have a price tag of:
$180,000 in Dallas
$244,700 in Colorado
$249,100 in Portland
$237,000 in Atlanta
$206,500 in Baltimore
$181,000 in Charlotte; and
$159,000 in Kansas City.
In Oklahoma, low costs mean residents can increase their standard of living. To enjoy the same spending power as an Oklahoman counterpart, individuals have to earn:
7 percent more in Dallas, St. Louis or Kansas City;
14 percent more in Phoenix
28 percent more in Los Angeles; and
52 percent more in Boston.
Relocate America has ranked Edmond, Norman, Ponca City and Bartlesville among it's top places to live, with Edmond and Bartlesville making the top 10.
More Access
Located close to the center of the United States, Oklahoma is bordered by Texas to the south, Arkansas and Missouri to the east, Kansas and Colorado to the north and New Mexico to the west.
More than 80 million people and some of the nation's fastest growing markets can be found within 500 miles of the state's borders.
Both I-40 and I-35 cross the center of Oklahoma allowing direct transportation to or from either coast, Canada or Mexico.
International air passenger and cargo service is available through Oklahoma City and Tulsa and 155 regional airports provide service statewide.
