46% of Oklahoma renters already spend 30 percent or more of income on rent, against a median household income of $65,039, so size any loan payment carefully. Compare written offers on total cost, confirm the lender's license and refuse any fee demanded before funding.
On this page
- Oklahoma by the numbers
- What the numbers mean for Oklahoma borrowers
- Largest places in Oklahoma
- The next 20 places in Oklahoma
- Counties with the most residents
- How Oklahoma earns a living
- More context for Oklahoma budgets
- Checking a lender in Oklahoma
- Can Oklahoma residents use the questionnaire?
- Local guides in Oklahoma
- Frequently asked questions
Oklahoma by the numbers
The table compares Oklahoma with the United States on sixteen measures that shape household budgets, and ranks it against the other states and the District of Columbia. All figures are American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 five-year estimates.
| Indicator | Oklahoma | Nation | Rank (1 = highest) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $65,039 | $80,734 | 44th |
| Households earning $100,000 or more | 31% | 41% | 46th |
| People below the poverty line | 15.3% | 12.5% | 9th |
| Unemployment rate (ACS) | 5.0% | 5.2% | 23rd |
| Median gross rent per month | $1,014 | $1,413 | 42nd |
| Rent-burdened renters (30%+) | 46% | 51% | 38th |
| Home value, median | $199,800 | $332,700 | 48th |
| Homeownership rate | 66% | 65% | 38th |
| Cost-burdened owners with a mortgage | 24% | 28% | 35th |
| Years of median income to buy the median home | 3.1x | 4.1x | 45th |
| Workers commuting 45+ minutes | 10% | 17% | 41st |
| Working from home | 9% | 15% | 45th |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 28% | 36% | 45th |
| Median age | 37.0 | 38.9 | 46th |
| Income inequality (Gini index) | 0.467 | 0.483 | 26th |
| Households earning under $35,000 | 26% | 21% | 8th |
What the numbers mean for Oklahoma borrowers
Commutes shape budgets too: 10% of Oklahoma workers travel 45 minutes or more each way (U.S.: 17%), and 9% work from home. A long drive also means more wear, so a repair fund of even a few hundred dollars can keep a breakdown from becoming a loan.
Roughly one in 3 Oklahoma households earns six figures (31%), and 7% clear $200,000, while 26% live on less than $35,000. Households at the lower end often do better with a smaller loan, or with a hardship plan from the creditor they already owe.
Typical household income: $65,039 in Oklahoma, against $80,734 nationwide (44th highest of 51). Think of the median as the budget a typical offer is written for; if yours is tighter, borrow less.
A Oklahoma renter pays $1,014 a month at the median, and 46% of renters carry a rent burden of 30 percent or more, below the 51% U.S. rate. If rent already takes a third of your pay, a new payment needs a stress test: could you make it in a month with a surprise bill?
Largest places in Oklahoma
The 12 most populous places in Oklahoma, with Census income, rent and home value for each. Linked names have their own local guide on this site.
| City or town | County | People | Household income (median) | Median rent | Home value (median) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | Oklahoma County, Cleveland County | 697,125 | $68,656 | $1,130 | $231,300 |
| Tulsa | Tulsa County, Rogers County | 413,794 | $59,838 | $1,052 | $205,300 |
| Norman | Cleveland County | 129,672 | $67,704 | $1,090 | $250,100 |
| Broken Arrow | Tulsa County, Wagoner County | 118,180 | $86,765 | $1,320 | $250,400 |
| Edmond | Oklahoma County | 96,825 | $103,183 | $1,344 | $351,400 |
| Lawton | Comanche County | 90,595 | $54,433 | $967 | $142,100 |
| Moore | Cleveland County | 63,420 | $80,420 | $1,340 | $204,500 |
| Midwest City | Oklahoma County | 58,297 | $57,520 | $1,091 | $164,500 |
| Enid | Garfield County | 50,653 | $62,125 | $914 | $154,900 |
| Stillwater | Payne County | 49,269 | $43,700 | $947 | $237,200 |
| Owasso | Tulsa County, Rogers County | 40,151 | $79,036 | $1,270 | $243,100 |
| Bartlesville | Washington County, Osage County | 37,878 | $58,869 | $916 | $167,200 |
Size first: 9 Oklahoma places pass 50,000 residents and 45 pass 10,000. Income next: among those over 20,000, Stillwater sits lowest at $43,700 and Jenks highest at $111,004. Jenks renters pay the most ($1,602 at the median) and Ponca City renters the least ($850).
The next 20 places in Oklahoma
20 more Oklahoma places, largest first.
| Place | Population | Median household income | Rent (median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muskogee | 36,758 | $50,213 | $858 |
| Shawnee | 31,671 | $55,815 | $936 |
| Bixby | 30,155 | $104,404 | $1,393 |
| Jenks | 27,102 | $111,004 | $1,602 |
| Yukon | 25,529 | $75,273 | $1,274 |
| Ardmore | 24,877 | $53,900 | $1,006 |
| Ponca City | 24,326 | $55,941 | $850 |
| Duncan | 22,958 | $58,054 | $896 |
| Sapulpa | 22,570 | $63,817 | $1,057 |
| Mustang | 22,192 | $87,844 | $1,287 |
| Del City | 21,494 | $46,925 | $1,054 |
| Bethany | 20,560 | $56,591 | $1,071 |
| Claremore | 20,166 | $58,685 | $1,009 |
| Sand Springs | 20,117 | $75,645 | $1,002 |
| Durant | 19,746 | $46,812 | $953 |
| Altus | 18,646 | $55,295 | $854 |
| El Reno | 18,557 | $56,219 | $968 |
| McAlester | 18,111 | $51,930 | $915 |
| Tahlequah | 16,935 | $49,581 | $835 |
| Ada | 16,575 | $53,507 | $894 |
Measured as a year of median rent against median household income, housing weighs most in Del City (27%) and least in Sand Springs (16%) among these 20 places.
Counties with the most residents
Oklahoma has 77 counties or equivalents. The 16 most populous are below.
| County | Population | Median income | Median gross rent | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma County | 806,199 | $66,679 | $1,116 | $222,900 |
| Tulsa County | 680,794 | $69,009 | $1,110 | $230,400 |
| Cleveland County | 300,047 | $77,068 | $1,167 | $235,700 |
| Canadian County | 168,985 | $87,751 | $1,289 | $246,200 |
| Comanche County | 121,825 | $60,761 | $970 | $163,800 |
| Rogers County | 98,610 | $80,067 | $1,047 | $240,500 |
| Wagoner County | 86,609 | $81,207 | $1,068 | $234,800 |
| Payne County | 82,972 | $49,809 | $917 | $223,300 |
| Pottawatomie County | 73,463 | $61,398 | $894 | $165,400 |
| Creek County | 72,830 | $62,338 | $936 | $182,100 |
| Muskogee County | 66,444 | $53,619 | $849 | $153,200 |
| Garfield County | 62,146 | $66,182 | $919 | $160,100 |
| Grady County | 56,606 | $75,419 | $883 | $205,800 |
| Washington County | 53,326 | $60,162 | $907 | $173,200 |
| Logan County | 51,938 | $83,899 | $891 | $246,700 |
| Le Flore County | 49,053 | $51,565 | $798 | $135,700 |
Across all 77 counties, median household income ranges from $41,405 in Latimer County to $87,751 in Canadian County. That spread is a reminder to size a payment to your own budget, not to a state average.
How Oklahoma earns a living
Which sectors put Oklahoma to work? The four biggest are below, alongside national shares.
| Industry | Share of Oklahoma workers | National share | Gap vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education, health care and social assistance | 23% | 24% | -0.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 12% | 11% | +0.9 pts |
| Professional, scientific and administrative services | 9% | 13% | -3.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9% | 10% | -0.7 pts |
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining is the sector with the biggest gap over the national mix, employing 4% of Oklahoma workers (U.S.: 2%). Whatever the sector, bring proof of income that covers at least the last two months.
More context for Oklahoma budgets
Over 2020 to 2024, 5.0% of the Oklahoma labor force was unemployed on average in the ACS, against 5.2% nationally; the poverty rate was 15.3%. If you were recently out of work, wait until you have a few steady paychecks before you apply.
Oklahoma's Gini index of income inequality is 0.467 (U.S.: 0.483; higher means more unequal), 28% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree, and the median resident is 37.0 years old.
Oklahoma is a middle-of-the-pack state for homeownership: 66% of occupied homes are owned, against 65% nationally. The median value of $199,800 equals 3.1 years of median income. Among owners with a mortgage, 24% spend 30 percent or more of income on housing (U.S.: 28%).
Checking a lender in Oklahoma
Personal lenders that make loans to Oklahoma residents generally need a state license or must lend through a bank. The state banking agency, listed by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors, is the Oklahoma State Banking Department. For consumer loans specifically, Oklahoma relies on the Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit as well.
- Ask for the lender's license number and look it up on NMLS Consumer Access.
- Report fee-first offers at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- CFPB complaints reach the lender and are tracked by a federal regulator.
Can Oklahoma residents use the questionnaire?
Partner availability depends on the state. For Oklahoma, the questionnaire checks coverage at the location step and never asks for contact details when no partner can help.
Local guides in Oklahoma
City-level guides for Oklahoma (5 so far):
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify a lender in Oklahoma?
The state banking agency listed for Oklahoma by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors is the Oklahoma State Banking Department. Consumer lending is also overseen by the Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit. Many lenders' state licenses also appear on NMLS Consumer Access, and the CFPB takes complaints nationwide.
What do households in Oklahoma earn?
$65,039 a year in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, 44th among the 50 states and DC; the national median is $80,734.
How much do Oklahoma renters pay?
$1,014 a month at the median, 42nd of 51. 46% of Oklahoma renters are cost-burdened, against 51% nationwide.
Do home values in Oklahoma change how I should borrow?
The median home in Oklahoma is valued at $199,800, about 3.1 times the median household income of $65,039. Where housing takes a big share of income, keep new payments modest and compare total cost rather than stretching the term.