Moving to Oklahoma? 2024 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Oklahoma is located in the South Central region of the U.S. and is bordered by Texas, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas. It is a state known for its diverse landscapes that include both Great Plains, flatland covered in prairie, as well as its 12.5 million acres of forest land.

If you are considering moving to Oklahoma, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved.

Quick Oklahoma Facts:

Population: 3.987 million (2021)
Official Language: English
GDP Per Capita: $50,000 (2020)
Random Fact: Oklahoma is known as the ‘Sooner State’ as a reflection of the heritage the state was built upon.
Currency: US Dollar (US$). As of early 2023, £1 = $1.20, €1 = $1.07, $1 CAD = $0.74, $1 AUD = $0.68

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Oklahoma

From State	Estimated Cost
California	$3,500 – $5,500
Texas	$2,000 – $3,500
Florida	$3,200 – $5,200
New York	$3,800 – $6,000
Pennsylvania	$3,400 – $5,400
Illinois	$3,000 – $4,800
Ohio	$2,800 – $4,600
Georgia	$2,900 – $4,700
North Carolina	$3,100 – $5,000
Michigan	$3,200 – $5,200

2. Oklahoma Housing Costs

In Oklahoma, housing costs can vary widely depending on location. For instance, in downtown Oklahoma City, apartment rents can range from $700 to over $2,000 per month and homes can sell for over $300,000, while in suburban areas such as Moore or Edmond, rental costs are often lower and houses can typically be purchased for under $250,000.

Monthly Rental Prices in Oklahoma:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: $1,325+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,100+
3 bedroom flat in City Centre: $2,900+
3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,420+

Oklahoma Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: $3,900+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: $2,700+

Oklahoma Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in Oklahoma compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 45.4% more expensive
New York is 62% more expensive
Los Angeles is 46.8% more expensive
Toronto is 23.2% more expensive
Sydney is 36% more expensive
Paris is 8.1% more expensive
Dubai is 23.9% more expensive

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

Share a Flat or House: Sharing a house or a flat is a way to save on living expenses. You may have to share a bathroom but you will save at the end of the day. A cheaper option is to share a room. Have a look at the following site to find your perfect room or flatmate: SpareRoom.
Different Areas – Different Prices: Housing costs in Oklahoma exhibit a significant range. Downtown areas in major cities like Tulsa and Oklahoma City see higher prices, with rental rates often between $800 to over $2,000 monthly and home prices exceeding $300,000. In contrast, smaller towns and suburbs such as Norman, Broken Arrow, and Lawton often have more affordable housing options, with rents often below $800 and houses available for under $200,000.

3. Oklahoma Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

Oklahoma’s culinary scene is influenced by its southern and Native American heritage, with barbecue, fried okra, and chicken fried steak being staple dishes. The state is also known for its “Oklahoma Tenderloin,” a breaded and fried pork sandwich, while craft breweries and wineries are increasingly popular, showcasing local flavours and innovative drinks.

Inexpensive Restaurant: $19.00
Takeout Coffee: $5.50
Bottle of Coke: $2.50
1L of Milk: $1.00
Loaf of Bread: $3.10
12 Eggs: $5.30
1kg Chicken: $10.60
1kg Beef: $12.00
1kg Apples: $5.00
1kg White Rice: $4.30

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

London restaurants are 23.5% more expensive and groceries are 20.1% cheaper than Oklahoma.
New York restaurants are 26.8% more expensive and groceries are 28.4% more expensive than Oklahoma.
Los Angeles restaurants are 23.5% more expensive and groceries are 10.6% more expensive than Oklahoma.
Toronto restaurants are 1.7% more expensive and groceries are 3.8% cheaper than Oklahoma.
Sydney restaurants are 6.1% more expensive and groceries are 7.4% more expensive than Oklahoma.
Paris restaurants are 2.8% more expensive and groceries are 5.9% more expensive than Oklahoma.
Dubai restaurants are 4.7% cheaper and groceries are 45% cheaper than Oklahoma.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

Know Your Supermarkets: Farmers’ markets are a common feature across Oklahoma, with notable ones such as the OSU-OKC Farmers Market in Oklahoma City and the Cherry Street Farmers Market in Tulsa, offering a variety of locally grown produce and handmade goods. Supermarket options range from budget-friendly chains like Aldi and Walmart to more upscale grocery stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, ensuring a variety of options for different budgets.
Find Cheap Eats: Oklahoma has a good selection of restaurants which offer food at affordable prices. Have a look at Trip Advisor.

4. Oklahoma Alcohol Costs

Oklahoma, like all cities in the United States, has plenty of bars and clubs to choose from, whether you want a quick beer after work or a cocktail before dinner.

Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: $6.00
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: $7.75
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: $2.60
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: $2.10
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: $10.50

How To Drink For Less in Oklahoma:

Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
Take a look at Yelp.

5. Oklahoma Transportation Fares

Public transportation in Oklahoma is primarily facilitated by bus services, with the two largest systems being EMBARK in Oklahoma City and Tulsa Transit in Tulsa, offering city-wide services. However, the state lacks extensive public transportation infrastructure, making personal vehicles a common mode of transportation, although efforts are ongoing to improve and expand public transit options.

Here are some sample ticket costs:

Adult single – $2.25
One-day ticket – $5.00
Monthly season ticket, unlimited – $50.00

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

Buy a bike. Depending on where you live and work, cycling around the city is certainly a viable option.
Walk. If you live relatively close to where you work, you can walk to work.

6. Cost of Internet in Oklahoma

Internet prices in the States are expensive compared with many other countries in the world. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

Sprint: $50 a month (Unlimited high speed except for streaming gaming up to 8mb)
AT & T: $20 a month (50mb fibre)
Verizon: $80 a month

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

Oklahoma experiences a relatively warm climate with an average annual temperature of around 15.5°C. January is typically the coldest month with average lows around -3°C, while July is usually the hottest with average highs near 34°C, and May tends to be the wettest month due to springtime storms.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: $62.00
Summer Dress: $36.00
Running Shoes (Trainers): $125.00
Business Shoes: $155.00
Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): $50.00
Deodorant: $4.50
Shampoo: $3.00
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): $3.50
Gym Membership: $30.00
Movie (cinema) Ticket: $13.00

Source: Numbeo

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Oklahoma

Everyone in the US drives on the right. Many people use their cars for work in Oklahoma. The rush hour is nowhere near as long as bad as other cities around the world. If you’re moving to Oklahoma from within the US, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new one.

You can drive on a foreign license for up to 12 months as a tourist but after that, you will need to get an American license. If you are working or studying in the US, you can drive on your foreign license for 30 days. If you want to exchange your foreign driver’s license you have to follow the process here.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Oklahoma:

Volkswagen Golf: $23,000+
1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): $0.87

Source: Numbeo

Ways To Save Money on Driving in Oklahoma:

Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try CarpoolWorld.
Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber or Lyft.

8. Taxes in Oklahoma

No matter where you live in the State, you will pay federal tax. To learn more about the different taxes in the States go to Immihelp and USA taxes.

The state sales tax rate in Oklahoma is 4.5%. However, total sales tax can be significantly higher when county, city, and local taxes are added, often resulting in combined rates ranging from 5% to up to about 11% in some areas.

Whether you own or rent your home, you will be subject to property tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. Learn more about property tax in Oklahoma at Property Tax.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in Oklahoma you’ll have to pay real estate transfer tax.

9. Flight Costs from Oklahoma

If you do make the move to Oklahoma, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of mid-2023:

London: $650
New York: $180
Los Angeles: $150
Toronto: $215
Vancouver: $160
Dubai: $920
Sydney: $1,000
Melbourne: $1,200
Cape Town: $1,100
Hong Kong: $1,300

Other Tips on Moving to Oklahoma:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Oklahoma but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to Oklahoma Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be especially daunting. Here are a few tips about settling in Oklahoma.

Meetups: There are many Meetup groups to choose from. You will definitely find something to join which will help you to settle in.
Attend Local Events: Oklahoma always has something going on. Have a look at Visit OKC.

12. Moving to Oklahoma with a Family

Oklahoma offers several family-friendly amenities including excellent schools, especially in areas like Edmond and Norman, and numerous outdoor recreational activities. However, in terms of crime rate, it varies widely by city and district; some areas have rates higher than the national average, particularly in more urban areas, but many suburban and rural communities in Oklahoma report lower crime rates.

New Parents (or parents to be): There are free and paid antenatal classes and courses. Have a look at Oklahoma.gov.
Live in a Family-friendly Area: Edmond, Oklahoma is often cited as one of the most family-friendly cities in the state due to its high-quality schools, low crime rate, and wealth of parks and community events. It also boasts a range of housing options and easy access to Oklahoma City for additional amenities.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: There are many activities for families living in Oklahoma. Have a look at the following sites to be inspired – Trip Advisor.

13. Moving to Oklahoma for Work

While it is possible to move to Oklahoma without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move. Oklahoma’s economy is largely driven by sectors such as energy (including oil, natural gas, and wind power), agriculture, aviation, and biotechnology. In late 2021, the unemployment rate was approximately 4.3%.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: Salaries vary enormously depending on which industry you are in. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Payscale for the specific state.
How To Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Oklahoma, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Monster and Indeed. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to Oklahoma from Australia

There’s a small group of Australians living and working in Oklahoma, if you are thinking of joining them, here are a few things to consider.

Size Comparison: New South Wales is roughly the same size as Oklahoma.
Join Expat Groups: There are so few Australians in Oklahoma that there isn’t a dedicated site. However, you can always start your own Australian Meetup group.

15. Moving to Oklahoma from Canada

There’s a small group of Canadians living in Oklahoma. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.

Size: Combining Newfoundland and Labrador will give an approximate size match to Oklahoma.
Expat Groups: Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process. Start a Canadian Meetup group.

16. Moving to Oklahoma from the United Kingdom

There’s a small number of Brits living in Oklahoma. If you are thinking of making the move from the UK to join them, then here are a few things to consider.

Size: Combining the entire United Kingdom gives a rough match in size to Oklahoma.
Expat Groups: If you want to join up with fellow Brits in Oklahoma, then start your own British Meetup group.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Oklahoma you can start by comparing moving quotes here.