Best Affordable Places to Live in Oklahoma in 2025

You’ll find Edmond at or near the top of just about every “best of” list for the state of Oklahoma. This suburb of Oklahoma City has its own charming downtown and is known for its plentiful parks and top-notch performing arts venues. Families living there appreciate the well-ranked schools. It’s also home to the University of Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma Christian University. The sheer size of the market here helps ensure even those with around $200,000 in the budget will have options.

Jenks is a fast-growing suburb of Tulsa, and home to the Oklahoma Aquarium, the Jenks Planetarium, and the popular RiverWalk Crossing Entertainment District, which offers shopping, dining, and entertainment venues. Jenks is also known for its short commute to Tulsa, and families will appreciate its well-regarded schools.

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If you like the vibe of a college town, Stillwater — the home of Oklahoma State University — may be the right place for you. Stillwater is known for its hospitality, diversity, and affordability. It has a dynamic downtown area, with live music venues, shopping and dining, and year-round festivals. For those who love art and history, the city also offers the Downtown Stillwater Cultural District. And sports lovers can cheer on the OSU Cowboys. Home prices have increased steadily over the past few years, but the average home value here, at around $241,000, is still around $100,000 under the national average.

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Broken Arrow is a growing, family-friendly city in Oklahoma’s picturesque Green Country region. It’s about a 14-mile commute to Tulsa, and it has its own downtown business district as well. Families will be drawn to the well-rated schools, and they can find lots of activities to choose from year-round — including several seasonal festivals and a “Tuesdays in the Park” concert series held in June. There can be a wide range of home prices depending on the neighborhood you choose. But overall, homes are very affordable.

Nicknamed “The Garden Spot of Oklahoma” for its agricultural roots, Bixby is a small but growing city near Tulsa. Families are attracted to this community by its good schools, many parks, historic (but updated) downtown district, and small-town feel. If you haven’t bought a home before (or if it’s been a while), familiarize yourself with the different types of mortgage loans before you start your search.

Owasso is another Tulsa suburb that’s popular with families. There are parks, playgrounds, and other recreational activities for the kids. And it’s big enough that it has the usual lineup of big box and grocery stores. Another draw for families: The schools are well regarded. Though it’s close to the city, Owasso has its own history and sense of community. Looking in Owasso? Make sure you understand the basics of how to qualify for a mortgage before the search gets serious.

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Young adults who like the idea of living in a city — but not an expensive and overwhelming metropolis — may find the state capital of Oklahoma City suits their needs. In 2023, Forbes ranked OKC the No. 2 city in the U.S. for young professionals, citing low living expenses, a thriving job market, and a vibrant atmosphere as major factors in its appeal. If you’re thinking about buying a home, understand the difference between mortgage prequalification and preapproval before you get serious about a spot.

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Tulsa is Oklahoma’s second-largest city by population, but it’s still quite affordable for both renters and homebuyers — and it’s known for its hospitality. There are several walkable and welcoming neighborhoods for those who like the idea of stopping in at a local restaurant, coffee shop, or bar. (There’s also a public bus system and a bike share program.) Residents can enjoy a vibrant arts and entertainment scene with a range of music venues. And for outdoorsy types, there are more than 130 parks around the metro area.

Looking for a suburban setting with a quick commute to Oklahoma City? Moore has a mix of amenities that both young professionals and young families might find appealing. The Station Recreation & Aquatic Center, which is run by the city, offers pickleball and basketball courts as well as an indoor walking track and an outdoor pool. And you may find that home and rent prices are less expensive in Moore than some nearby suburbs.

This small city is located just north of the upscale Nichols Hills suburb of Oklahoma City, but home prices in The Village are generally much lower. And it’s close to all that the big city has to offer (including the airport, for those who have grandkids to visit). It’s also a quick drive to lovely Lake Hefner, where retirees can walk, run, kayak, golf, and fish.

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Bartlesville has plenty to offer retirees with a wide range of interests, including interesting architecture, a museum packed with Western artifacts, and several scenic parks. And when the grandchildren come to visit, there’s Bartlesville Kiddie Park, with fun rides designed specifically with younger children in mind.

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Ready to try your luck in Lawton? This diverse city in southwest Oklahoma is known for its rich Native American history, and it’s the home of the bustling Comanche Nation Casino, where retirees (and their visitors) can enjoy good food and good times. If you prefer the outdoors, you’ll find there are plenty of parks for picnicking and other activities.

If fishing and boating — or a beautiful water view — is a priority in your home search, you may want to put Grove on your house-hunting list. The small town is surrounded by Grand Lake, which is a professional bass fishing tournament lake and a recreational hotspot. There’s also a botanical garden, and lots to explore in Grand Lake State Park. And because Grove is popular with tourists in the summer months, there are plenty of bars and restaurants.

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There’s a little bit of everything in Ardmore: arts and culture, world-class golf courses, and diverse dining and shopping opportunities. And, of course, there’s beautiful Lake Murray, where you can swim, boat, and fish. Ardmore also is known for its health-care facilities and friendly neighborhoods. The cost of living in Ardmore is lower than the overall cost of living in Oklahoma, and much lower than the U.S. average.

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The city of Broken Bow, in the southeast corner of Oklahoma, has its own 40-acre park with a stocked fishing pond, walking track, and more. It’s also near popular Broken Bow Lake, a thriving tourist destination that benefits businesses in Broken Bow (but can add to the traffic).