Want to live and work in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma is frequently listed among the least expensive states to live in. A one-bedroom apartment in Oklahoma City or Tulsa runs between $800 and $1,200 per month. In smaller cities like Norman, Edmond, or Lawton, options can be found for under $800.

Buying a home is also accessible. Three-bedroom homes in good neighborhoods start from $200,000, and in more modest areas it is possible to find properties for under $150,000. Groceries, restaurants, and services tend to be considerably cheaper than on the coasts. A meal at a casual restaurant costs $10 to $15.

Gas tends to be among the cheapest in the US, since the state produces oil. Salaries are lower than in major metros, but the income-to-cost ratio is usually favorable. Families can live comfortably on $55,000 to $75,000 per year.

Oklahoma runs on oil and natural gas. Companies like Devon Energy, Chesapeake Energy, ONEOK, and Continental Resources are headquartered in Oklahoma City or Tulsa. Engineers, geologists, technicians, and field workers find good opportunities when oil prices are high.

Aviation and aerospace are strong. Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City is one of the largest air force bases in the US and employs thousands of civilians in aircraft maintenance. Tulsa has a major aviation hub with American Airlines and Spirit AeroSystems. Healthcare is a stable sector, with large hospitals in both cities.

Agriculture still employs workers in the interior, mainly in wheat, cattle, sorghum, and cotton. There is also employment in logistics (Walmart, FedEx, Amazon have large operations), education (University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma State in Stillwater), and the public sector. Salaries are lower than on the coasts, but the low cost of living compensates.

Oklahoma's healthcare system works like the rest of the US: private by default. Those with formal employment typically receive health insurance as a benefit. Those without employment buy on the federal Marketplace with income-based subsidies. Low-income families are eligible for SoonerCare, the local version of Medicaid.

Major hospitals are in Oklahoma City (OU Health, Mercy, INTEGRIS) and Tulsa (Saint Francis Health System, Hillcrest, Ascension). For complex cases, patients often travel to Dallas or Houston. In rural areas, small hospitals face closures, and access to specialists is limited.

Out-of-pocket costs are high. A simple doctor's visit runs $150 to $250. An ER visit without insurance can exceed $2,000. Community health programs and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) offer sliding-scale services for uninsured families.

A car is essential in Oklahoma. Cities are spread out, with neighborhoods far from the center and few public transit options. Oklahoma City has the EMBARK bus network and a small streetcar downtown. Tulsa has a bus network but with limited coverage. Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft work well in both cities.

Highways like I-35 (running north-south, connecting Texas to Kansas) and I-40 (running east-west across the state from Arkansas to Texas) are the main routes. The historic Route 66 also crosses Oklahoma from east to west and still attracts tourists. Roads are generally in good condition, with little traffic outside urban peak hours.

The main airports are OKC (Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City) and TUL (Tulsa International). Direct flights go to major US cities like Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, and Phoenix. For international destinations, a connection through Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, or Chicago is almost always required.

Oklahoma's culture is rooted in rural American tradition and its Indigenous heritage. Country and western music (Garth Brooks and Vince Gill are from here), rodeos, and farm festivals make up the annual calendar. The National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City tells the story of the American West.

College football is almost a religion. Games for the Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) draw crowds. On game days, cities like Norman and Stillwater come to a standstill. Professional basketball has the Oklahoma City Thunder, an NBA team with a passionate fan base.

The cuisine blends Texas-style barbecue, Southern food (fried chicken, biscuits), and Indigenous influence (frybread, tripe soup). Tulsa, especially the Greenwood neighborhood, is important in African American history and has a strong cultural scene. Festivals like the Tulsa State Fair and Red Earth (Indigenous festival) animate the state.

Oklahoma is home to roughly 240,000 people born outside the country, close to 6% of the population. Mexicans form the largest community and concentrate in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, tied to construction, restaurants, and services. The Asian District in OKC, along Classen Boulevard, is the heart of the Vietnamese community, formed by refugees who arrived in the 1970s and now in a third generation, with restaurants, markets, and cultural centers. Hispanics form strong communities in Tulsa, especially on the east side.

Oklahoma City hosts consulates from Mexico and Guatemala, and Tulsa has an honorary Mexican consulate. The YWCA OKC runs an immigrant services department with English classes. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of OKC offers refugee resettlement and citizenship support. The Vietnamese American Citizens Association anchors the Asian District with a language school and cultural events.