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: 20.88 minutes (third shortest among 65 major metropolitan areas); Oklahoma City average one-way commute: 21.57 minutes (seventh shortest) Source: US Census Bureau's 2005 American Community Survey
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
Forbes Magazine recently ranked Oklahoma City as the most recession proof city in the United States. The magazine cited Oklahoma City's falling unemployment, one of the country's strongest housing markets, and solid growth in manufacturing, energy, and agriculture.
Salary.com recently ranked Oklahoma City (No. 9) and Tulsa (No. 12) among the most favorable cities to build personal wealth. Both cities performed well because of their low cost of living and high rate of pay.
MSNBC.com ranks Oklahoma City (No. 2) and Tulsa (No. 3) among the nation's 5 cheapest places to rent. In Oklahoma City, you can find a 900-square-foot home for $490 a month, and Tulsa's rental market offers brand new, 600-square-foot, one-bedroom apartments for $520 a month.
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.
Tulsa and Stillwater are among the top five most affordable college towns in the United States, as reported by Colwell Banker College Home Price Comparison Index. Tulsa, which ranked #3, has an average home price of $153,750, while Stillwater, ranked #4, has an average home price of $162,000.
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.
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.
Fewer Hassles
Broken Arrow is listed as one of the nation's safest cities in a 2007 study that analyzes FBI crime data. Broken Arrow ranked No. 22 in the study published by Washington-based CQ Press. The study, "City Crime Rankings: Crime in Metropolitan America," looked at 378 cities with populations of at least 75,000 residents and ranked the safest and most dangerous. Abridged Version Available for Download No Oklahoma cities were listed among the 25 communities characterized as the most dangerous.
Broken Arrow is also ranked as one of the family-friendliest communities in America according to the August 2008 issue of Family Circle magazine. Criteria include public safety, schools, and cost of living among others.
Tulsa average one-way commute: 20.88 minutes (third shortest among 65 major metropolitan areas); Oklahoma City average one-way commute: 21.57 minutes (seventh shortest) Source: US Census Bureau's 2005 American Community Survey