Apartments for Rent in Oklahoma City, OK - 314 Rentals available

Renter's Guide to Oklahoma City

As of 2015, Oklahoma City was the 27^th largest city in the US and the largest in Oklahoma, though its land mass of 607 square miles positions it as the 8^th largest by land size.

The city is centrally located in the Great Plains region of the United States—it is only 200 miles from Dallas to Oklahoma City and 350 miles from Kansas City to Oklahoma City. It’s also a mere 100 miles from Tulsa to Oklahoma City. Given its central location, a flight from the Oklahoma City airport to New York or to San Francisco are both about three-and-a-half hours. 

The Oklahoma City weather is rather temperate, with January temperatures averaging around 50 degrees and mid-summer temperatures hovering in the low 90s. Those who don’t like snow will find the weather in Oklahoma City pleasant, since the city experiences less than 10 inches of snowfall in a season.

Cost of Living in Oklahoma City, OK

The cost of living in Oklahoma City is quite reasonable at 63.41% of what it would cost to live in New York City and 6.27% lower than neighboring Tulsa. The Oklahoma City public transportation system provides bus service throughout the city at a rate of $1.75. Discounts for seniors, students, and people with disabilities lowers the rate to 75 cents. Taxis in Oklahoma City are widely available and rates can be easily calculated with the city’s Taxi Fare Finder.

An average meal at an inexpensive restaurant is only $10 and a mid-range meal costs around $40 and groceries are relatively cheap. Oklahoma City utilities for a 900-square-foot apartment average around $157 per month and the average monthly Internet bill for unlimited access is around $58.

Living in Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City, just like any other city, has some pros and cons. OKC excels in affordability, strong economy and quality of life, arguably the three most important factors when choosing a new city to call home. Not only is Oklahoma City the best city to live in Oklahoma, but it offers an abundance of the arts, excellent health care, quality education, superb dining and so much more. Oklahoma City is also diverse, counting among its population 15% African-American, 17% Hispanic, and a number of other ethnicities.

Though the city does have a fine public transportation system, commuting by car can be a challenge. The city also lies in what is called “tornado alley” and as such has its share of severe weather from time to time.

Things to do in Oklahoma City

There’s no shortage of things to do in Oklahoma City—one of the country’s largest and fastest growing cities. A few of the many attractions to enjoy are the Oklahoma City Zoo, Oklahoma City Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Bricktown in Oklahoma City, and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Other Oklahoma City events include numerous international equine championship events, more than any other city in the world—the reason why it’s often nicknamed the “Horse Show Capitol of the World.”

Music lovers will enjoy the numerous indoor and outdoor concerts and a nightlife second to none in the southwest. From Automobile Alley to the Midtown area to the Western Avenue shopping district, there are plenty of retailers to satisfy even the most fanatic shopper and dining at Oklahoma City restaurants, after a long day of shopping, is comparable to cities from L.A. to New York City.

For the sports enthusiast, the Oklahoma City Thunder display their NBA playoff caliber basketball from October through April and one of the most admired NCAA college football franchises, the Oklahoma Sooners play right next door in Norman, Oklahoma. Those who are more active can run the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, that now draws 25,000 participants, or run one of many shorter races that abound as well.

Employment and Economy

Oklahoma City jobs are not lacking in a local economy where the unemployment rate of 3.6% was far below the national average of 4.8%. The Oklahoma City economy also benefits from the fact that the per capita income in the city, a good indicator of consumer spending power, ranks above or equivalent to the national average at the $75,000 and below threshold—indicating that employment in Oklahoma City is compensated quite well.

Oklahoma City is focused on attracting a highly educated workforce—83.1% graduated high school, 27.3% have a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9% have a graduate or professional degree. This is a departure from an economic base that not long ago was focused almost entirely on the oil and gas industry. Today, the diversity of the Oklahoma City economy is well positioned for growth.

A Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis survey ranked Oklahoma City fourth overall in the nation’s small tech talent markets and Forbes ranked it as one of the 10 best cities for young entrepreneurs. The city is also home to some of the country’s largest companies, which are some of the city’s largest employers. These Oklahoma City businesses include Fortune 500 companies Chesapeake Energy and Devon Energy, one of Forbes’ largest private companies Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores, and NASDAQ-listed financial firm BancFirst.

Education in Oklahoma City

In 1993 the first Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) to improve the Oklahoma City public schools built and renovated 70 Oklahoma City Public School buildings and provided funds for facility improvements, technology, and transportation projects. The city recently implemented MAPS 3, to be completed in 2021.

The University of Oklahoma maintains a campus in the city, as does Oklahoma State University. Also in the city is Oklahoma City University, ranked by US News & World Report as one of the country’s top 25 regional universities, and its Meinders School of Business, one of the top 5% of business schools in the world! Oklahoma City Community College, which serves more than 28,000 students, gives students the chance to experience an affordable, accessible and flexible community college education.

Tips for Renting in Oklahoma City

Anyone looking for apartments in Oklahoma City can take comfort in knowing that the State of Oklahoma Landlord and Tenant Acts, under which Oklahoma City is governed, gives tenants the right to habitable living conditions in housing that meets basic structural, health, and safety standards and is in good repair. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs to keep the premises in safe, livable condition, a tenant has the right to withhold rent until repairs are made.

Commuting by car in Oklahoma City traffic can be a challenge, however, the city has a great public transportation system and a number of neighborhoods, such as Mesta Park, Roberts-Crest, and Corridor South have excellent Walk and Bike Scores. Considering that Oklahoma City offers a flourishing nightlife scene, especially in some of the popular spots for music, dancing, and drinks, it’s no wonder that Millennials find this such an attractive city in which to live.