OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) – U.S. News & World Report named Oklahoma City the nation’s No. 1 best big city to live in for 2025-2026.
U.S. News & World Report, a media company which specializes in consumer advice, rankings and analysis, attributed Oklahoma City’s top ranking to a number of factors, including low cost of living, low unemployment and commute times that are not too lengthy.
“As the No. 1 city on the Best Big Cities to Live list, Oklahoma City stood out for its affordability. That mix of low housing costs, cultural richness and wide-open space makes Oklahoma City the perfect choice for those looking to stretch their budget without sacrificing quality of life,” the U.S. News & World Report states.
Mayor David Holt said Oklahoma City being ranked the nation’s best big city to live in was years in the making.
“This is great validation, because it is a credible national source. And it’s a fitting validation at the end of a special summer in which our city’s progress captured the attention of the world,” Holt said to Oklahoma Business Voice. “To be called the best big city in which to live is an amazing thing, and it took so much vision and investment and work over three decades to get here. But this honor continues to signal our city’s arrival, and I know that rankings like this will continue to fuel our growth and progress.”
U.S. News & World Report emphasized Oklahoma City’s low cost of living, saying the $230,952 median home value in Oklahoma City offers a lower value of living compared to the $370,489 national average home value.
“Oklahoma City offers a better value than similarly sized cities when you compare housing costs to median household income,” U.S. News & World Report states.
The Report also highlighted Oklahoma City’s job market, saying there are ample work opportunities in the city, which currently has a 3.3 percent unemployment rate. The national average unemployment rate is 4.5 percent.
A city’s job market can indicate the quality of life among its populace, according to U.S. News & World Report.
“Oklahoma City has a healthier job market than similarly sized metro areas,” the Report states.
Oklahoma City has a population of around 713,207 people. The population breaks down as follows:
- 28 percent are under age 20
- 16 percent are 25-34 years old
- 14 percent are 35-44
- 22 percent are 45-65
- About 13 is over age 65
A majority of the population is single, a selling point for potential residents looking for a new city where they can start a long-term career as well as a long-term relationship.
“There are more single people in Oklahoma City than the national average. 45.1% of the Oklahoma City population is married, and 54.9% is single,” U.S. News & World Report states.
The Report also cited Oklahoma City’s shorter than average commute time as another favorable reason to live in the city.
“You’ll definitely want to take a close look at your work commute, whether by car or public transportation, if you will be going back and forth every day. The average commute time in Oklahoma City is 20.65 minutes, which is less than the national average,” the report states.
Oklahoma’s capital city has been making big national headlines the past year, including the Oklahoma City Thunder winning its first NBA Championship, the announcement of a massive new $900 million arena for the Thunder and the city being selected to host competitions for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Oklahoma City also received the following rankings from U.S. News & World Report:
- No. 96 in Best Places to Live (among all U.S. towns and cities)
- No. 23 in Best Places to Retire
- No. 5 in Best Places to Live in Oklahoma
