Moving to Oklahoma: Pros and Cons in 2025
If you’re thinking about moving to Oklahoma, you’re not alone. The Sooner State atttacts newcomers for good reason! With bustling metropolitan areas like Oklahoma City and quiet rural towns, there’s a place to match your desired pace of life.
As much as there is to love about Oklahoma, it’s smart to weigh the good and the not-so-good before you buy a new home and pack up your belongings.
Here, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about moving to Oklahoma to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
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Pros & cons of living in Oklahoma
Like any big move, relocating to Oklahoma comes with its own upsides and potential downsides that are important to consider.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest pros and cons of living in the Sooner State to help you make an informed decision.
Pros of living in OK
- ✓Ample economic opportunity
- ✓Low cost of living
- ✓Delicious barbecue
- ✓Rapid earnings growth
Cons of living in OK
- ✖Dull landscape
- ✖Destructive weather
- ✖Poor education
- ✖Dangerous drivers
- ✖Low diversity
Things to do in Oklahoma
Whether you’re moving to Oklahoma work, family, or just a fresh start, you’ll want to get the most out of your new home state — and that includes finding fun things to do. The good news is that, no matter your interests, Oklahoma has lots of fun places to explore and things to do.
You can visit these places with your family or use them to meet new people if you’re alone. With so many choices, you’re sure to find something that suits you and makes you feel comfortable.
Popular Attractions in Oklahoma
- Oklahoma City National Memorial
- Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
- Myriad Botanical Gardens
- Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve
- Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History
- Gilcrease Museum
- Turner Falls Park
- JM Davis Arms and Historical Museum
- Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
- Oklahoma City Zoo
Museums in Oklahoma
- Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
- Philbrook Museum of Art
- National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
- Science Museum Oklahoma
- Gilcrease Museum
- Forgotten Wheels Museum
- Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History
- Museum of the Great Plains
- Museum of Osteology
- Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art
Parks in Oklahoma
- Gathering Place
- Tallgrass Prairie Preserve
- Turner Falls Park
- Medicine Park
- Woodward Park
- Hefner Lake & Park
- River Parks
- Honor Heights Park
- Haikey Creek Park
- Wheeler Ferris Wheel
Fun facts about Oklahoma
Each state has a unique character molded by its history, culture, and residents. Learning about its small details and quirky traditions helps you understand what life there is truly like.
These fun facts about Oklahoma, will give you a glimpse at what makes the state unique, and may even give you a few more reasons to make the move.
- The name of the state is derived from the choctaw words “okla” and “humma”, meaning “red people”.
- The Oklahoma state motto is “Labor Omnia Vincit” – Labor conquers all things.
- Oklahoma is the only state in the U.S. that produces Iodine. It is also one of the only four states that produce Helium.
- Shopping carts were first invented and used in Oklahoma before they were used anywhere else in the world.
- Oklahoma was added to the United States as a part of the Louisiana Purchase of 1803.
- Arcadia, Oklahoma has the world’s largest sculpture pop bottle. Neon lights are used to light up the 66-foot-tall sculpture at night.
- Because of the droughts and high winds that the state suffered during the 1930s, more than a million residents of Oklahoma migrated to California. The migrants were known as “Okies”.
- The worst dust storm during the period occurred on a Sunday on April 14, 1935, when 3 million tons of top soils are estimated to have blown off the Great Plains. The dust would move inside of even the well-sealed homes leaving a coating on food, skin and furniture.
- nother amazing fact about OK is that that after California, Oklahoma has the second largest Native American population in the country.
Oklahoma population and demographics
While you’re thinking about relocating to Oklahoma, it’s important to look beyond facts and figures to get to the story they tell about the Sooner State.
A state with more people might have more jobs, entertainment, and better infrastructure. On the other hand, a state with fewer people could mean a quieter lifestyle and close-knit communities.
Average education levels show the availability of job opportunities or access to local schools and colleges. Political breakdowns may indicate a state’s values and priorities.
Understanding who lives in Oklahoma, how they live, and what they value can make it much easier to decide if it’s the kind of place where you’d feel comfortable and connected.
| Metric | Oklahoma |
|---|---|
| Population | 4,053,824 |
| Female | 50.3% |
| Male | 49.7% |
| College graduation rate | 27.92% |
| Political leaning | Republican 66-34 |
| Crime index | 27.52 |
Oklahoma weather
Climate plays a huge role in shaping your day-to-day life, so it’s an important factor to consider when deciding whether Oklahoma is right for you. Looking at seasonal highs and lows and average rain and snowfall can help you imagine how much time you’ll be spending outdoors, preparing for storms, and adjusting to temperature extremes.
Summer highs can influence your energy bills and how much time you spend away from the AC. Winter lows determine the type of wardrobe and heating system you’ll need. Annual snowfall can range from light flurries to major storms that affect travel and daily life.
Whether you love sunshine, prefer cooler temps, or want to avoid snow altogether, knowing the climate can help you decide if Oklahoma aligns with your lifestyle and comfort level.
| Metric | Oklahoma |
|---|---|
| Summer high | 93ºF |
| Winter low | 26ºF |
| Annual rain | 39″ |
| Annual snow | 6″ |
Income and cost of living in Oklahoma
A look at major industries, average income, housing costs, and the overall cost of living gives you a clearer picture of how affordable and sustainable life will likely be in Oklahoma.
Knowing which industries boost the economy can help you evaluate job prospects in your field or foresee job market stability. If you’re thinking about renting or buying a home, housing costs are probably a major factor when deciding whether to move.
The cost of living index shows how much your money is worth compared to the national average. A lower index usually means daily expenses such as groceries, transportation, and housing are cheaper.
These numbers are more than just statistics. They’re practical tools that help you compare your current lifestyle to what’s possible in Oklahoma and make a confident, informed decision about your move.
The main economic industries in the state include:
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction ($29.3 billion)
- Real estate and rental and leasing ($18.9 billion)
- Manufacturing ($18.5 billion)
- Professional and business services ($16.9 billion)
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($15.4 billion)
- Transportation and warehousing ($13.3 billion)
- Retail trade ($11.1 billion)
- Wholesale trade ($11 billion)
- Finance and insurance ($7.6 billion)
- Construction ($7.3 billion)
| Metric | Oklahoma |
|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $934 |
| Average home cost | $205,968 |
| Average income (per capita) | $61,364 |
| Cost of living index* | 86 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3% |
| Average sales tax | Not available |
| State income tax | 4.75% |
*To figure out the cost of living in each state, there’s a 100-point index, known as the cost of living index. This metric starts with a baseline number of 100. States with a number below that are less expensive to live in while states with numbers higher than 100 are more expensive to live in.
Top schools in Oklahoma
If education influences your decision to move, a state’s schools reflect its career opportunities and community resources.
Whether you’re planning to go back to school yourself, have kids nearing graduation, or just want to live in a state with strong academic options, it’s worth checking out what Oklahoma has to offer.
Here are some of the top schools in Oklahoma:
- The University of Oklahoma
- Oklahoma State University
- The University of Tulsa
- The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
- Oral Roberts University
- University of Central Oklahoma
- Northeastern State University
- Oklahoma City University
- Cameron University
- Rogers State University
- Oklahoma Christian University
- Southeastern Oklahoma State University
- Southwestern Oklahoma State University
- Southern Nazarene University
- East Central University
Finding the best moving company for your relocation to Oklahoma
We’ve reviewed hundreds of moving companies and worked directly with customers to identify the top movers across the country.
If you’re planning on moving to the Sooner State, here are the best moving companies to help you transport your belongings to your new home wherever you are headed from.
- Alabama to OK
- Arkansas to OK
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- Delaware to OK
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- Nebraska to OK
- New Hampshire to OK
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- Nevada to OK
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- Ohio to OK
- Oregon to OK
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- Tennessee to OK
- Texas to OK
- Utah to OK
- Virginia to OK
- Vermont to OK
- Washington to OK
- Wisconsin to OK
- West Virginia to OK
- Wyoming to OK
Cost of moving to Oklahoma
Before you take the leap to Oklahoma, it’s a good idea to get a handle on moving costs. On average, hiring professional movers will run you about $131 per hour. The total cost depends on how much stuff you have and how far you’re moving. Cross-country moves, for example, will definitely hit your wallet harder than a quick hop across state lines.
The type of move you choose can make a big difference in cost, too.
To keep costs down, choose one of the best moving container companies. You do the packing and loading and they handle the driving for you, so it’s kind of like a middle ground between DIY and full-service.
Want to save even more? The most affordable option is to get a rental truck. With this options, you’ll do all of the heavy lifting, including packing, loading, driving, and unloading.
But if you’d rather not break a sweat, professional interstate movers can do all the work for you. Just keep in mind that this convenience comes at a price. Be sure to get quotes from several different movers to find one that fits your budget and moving needs.
| Company | Quote | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Safeway Moving
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Mayzlin Relocation
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BLVD Moving
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PODS
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American Van Lines
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Cost to bring your car to Oklahoma
Bringing a car with you? Use our car shipping calculator below to estimate how much it’ll cost to transport your vehicle to Oklahoma.
Oklahoma car insurance requirements
Oklahoma drivers license requirements
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