Moving to Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Real Estate & Job Markets, Cost of Living Guides

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Still boasting the second-highest number of oil wells in the U.S., Oklahoma's rapidly growing economy also benefits from its additional leadership in natural gas production, meat processing & agriculture, aircraft parts manufacturing, and has most recently become a major center for biotechnology firms.

With its low property taxes, attractive cost of living, and business-friendly climate, Oklahoma continues to grow in numbers of population, 65 percent of which live in metro Oklahoma City and Tulsa, the two economic nerve centers of the state.

Oklahoma quality-of-life statistics

Moving to Oklahoma
Fast Facts

• Find a job: Oklahoma Employment Security Commission

• Start a business: OK Business Start-Up Frequently Asked Questions

• Get a driver's license: Oklahoma Drivers License FAQs

• Retire to Oklahoma: Retirement Oklahoma

Demographics : (Oklahoma Census Data)
Major cities: Oklahoma City (capital), Tulsa, Norman, Broken Arrow, Lawton
Population : 3,579,212
White : 78.5.1%
Black, African American : 7.7%
American Indian : 8.1%
Hispanic : 6.6%
High school graduates : 80.6%
Bachelor's degree or higher : 20.3%
Average household income: $37,109

Cost of Living: Sperling's Best Places - Oklahoma - Compared to the rest of the country, Oklahoma's cost of living is 23.89% lower than the U.S. average.

Property Taxes : Oklahoma Tax Climate - Among the nation's lowest, Oklahoma per capita property tax collections equaled $465 for all levels of government in FY2004, ranking it 47th nationally.

Housing & Real Estate Overview : also see Zillow - Oklahoma Real Estate
Home ownership rate : 68.4%
Average home price : $115,000
Average travel time to work : 21.7 minutes

Personal Income Taxes : Oklahoma imposes income tax rates ranging from 0.5 percent to a high of 5.5 percent over 7 tax brackets depending on income and filing status. Oklahoma residents are required to file taxes using Form 511 by April 15 of each year.

Schools : Reading and math scores are consistent with the national average with a higher percentage (77.8 percent) graduating from high school in 2007 compared to 73.9 percent nationally. By national averages, the state is not heavily invested in education and ranks 46th nationally for per-pupil expenditures ($8,006 compared to national average of $10,190) and 48th for its average teacher salary ($43,846 compared to national average of $54,319). Also see Oklahoma State Department of Education

Weather : With a majority of the state located in Tornado Alley, Oklahoma is one of the world's most active areas for thunderstorms and tornados. In summer, temperatures statewide can rise above 100°F.

Crime : see Oklahoma Crime Statistics

also see -> Oklahoma Taxes | Oklahoma Eviction Laws

Oklahoma Fall Color | Oklahoma Tourism | Oklahoma Lakes, Beaches

Christmas in Oklahoma | Oklahoma Kids Party Locations

More about relocating to Oklahoma around the Web:

Oklahoma Department of Commerce FAQ - Comprehensive resource offering links and information on cost of living, major employers, employment statistics, quality of life, opening a new business, and other pertinent facts for those considering a move to Oklahoma.

Moving to Oklahoma City - Information on cost of living, housing, apartments & real estate, utilities & city services, job search resources, and free relocation packet order form courtesy of Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce.

Moving to Tulsa - A guide to city services, neighborhoods, real estate & apartment brokers, houses of worship, public & private schools.

Oklahoma real estate, apartments & job classifieds:

Oklahoma City : Oklahoman
Tulsa : World
Norman : Transcript