Oklahoma City and Tulsa have officially been named two of the most affordable large cities in the U.S., according to MarketWatch’s 2025 report. Oklahoma City ranked No. 3 and Tulsa came in at No. 5 — two powerhouse showings that confirm what locals have long known: it’s not just cheaper to live in Oklahoma. It’s financially smarter.
The report went beyond sticker prices, factoring in housing costs, rent-to-income ratios, and economic opportunity. In Oklahoma City ranked highly thanks to its low unemployment rate, variety of activities, and median income of $67,015 — the highest of the top five cities in the report. Tulsa earned its spot thanks to its remote-friendly incentives, home value, and proximity to nature experiences like The Gathering Place and the Ozark Mountains. Both cities also back their high quality of life up with strong economic fundamentals, including job growth across key sectors like healthcare, energy, tech, and the film and music industries.
Compared to other cities on the list, Oklahoma City and Tulsa give movers more — more space, more time, more freedom to build the kind of life that feels good day to day. In Oklahoma City, that might look like homeownership before 30 and a 15-minute commute to a growing downtown packed with local breweries, art galleries, and live music. In Tulsa, it could be a walkable arts district, nationally recognized food, and a tight-knit community that invests in both tradition and innovation.
In an era where affordability feels like a myth, Oklahoma is turning it into a movement worth moving to.
