Oklahoma City Ranked No. 2 Best Big City To Live
- mike33692
- May 28
- 2 min read
Oklahoma City Ranked No. 2 Best Big City To Live In America
Oklahoma City has officially been ranked the No. 2 best big city to live in the United States for 2026-2027 by U.S. News & World Report, highlighting the metro’s affordable housing market, strong job growth, and improving quality of life.
The national rankings evaluated major metropolitan areas with populations exceeding 600,000 residents.
According to the U.S. News & World Report Best Big Cities rankings, Oklahoma City narrowly missed reclaiming the top spot after finishing behind only El Paso, Texas this year.
The rankings place heavy emphasis on affordability, employment opportunities, commute times, and overall livability metrics.
Oklahoma City Housing Market Drives National Ranking
One of the largest reasons behind the strong Oklahoma City ranking is the metro’s relative insulation from the broader national housing affordability crisis.
According to U.S. News & World Report, the median home value in Oklahoma City currently sits at approximately $251,848.
That figure is more than $108,000 lower than the current national average home value of roughly $359,870.
The city’s rental market also remains comparatively affordable.
The report lists Oklahoma City’s median monthly rent at approximately $936 — dramatically lower than rental costs in many major metropolitan markets nationwide.
Housing analysts say Oklahoma City’s affordability continues attracting young families, remote workers, and professionals relocating from higher-cost coastal states.
Oklahoma City Economy Continues Strong Growth
The latest Oklahoma City ranking also highlighted the metro’s resilient economy and low unemployment levels.
According to the report, Oklahoma City currently maintains an unemployment rate of just 2.96%, roughly 1.5 percentage points lower than the national average.
Although wages in Oklahoma City remain lower than some larger coastal markets, analysts say the city’s lower cost of living allows household incomes to stretch significantly further.
The report lists the median household income across the metro at approximately $69,614.
Officials also noted Oklahoma City’s relatively short average commute time of just over 20 minutes despite the city’s expanding geographic footprint.
MAPS Investments And Young Workforce Boost Oklahoma City Ranking
The new Oklahoma City ranking also credited long-term civic investments and population growth trends for improving the city’s national reputation.
According to U.S. News & World Report, Oklahoma City’s median age currently sits at 33.9 years old, reflecting continued migration from younger professionals and growing families.
The report specifically cited ongoing MAPS program investments as a major factor strengthening quality-of-life infrastructure throughout the metro.
The final top five national rankings included:
El Paso, Texas
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Fort Worth, Texas
Raleigh, North Carolina
Austin, Texas
Economic experts say Oklahoma City’s combination of affordable housing, expanding corporate opportunities, and infrastructure development continues positioning the city as one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the country.
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