10 Most Affordable Housing Markets in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is one of the most affordable states in the U.S. Learn about these little-known pockets that will make homebuying possible for just about any budget.

While home prices are low, economic opportunities abound, with military installations and other major employers calling these towns home. There’s no shortage of recreational and cultural activities to be found, as well.

Homebuyers looking to finally afford a home should look into the Sooner State.

1. Duncan
2. Ponca City
3. Enid
4. Lawton
5. Muskogee
6. Del City
7. Ardmore
8. McAlester
9. Shawnee
10. Midwest City

1. Duncan

*Payments mentioned do not include taxes, insurance, or HOA dues. Example purposes only. Not a commitment to lend.

Home of the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, this Duncan museum showcases the cowboy and ranching culture that played a crucial role in shaping the region. Today, the area hosts manufacturing facilities, and the oil and gas industry is a significant player in the economy as well.

2. Ponca City

Named after the Native American Tribe that once called the area home, Ponca City hosts Standing Bear Park, commemorating the Ponca Tribe’s Chief Standing Bear who successfully argued for Native American personhood under the law.

3. Enid

The ninth-largest city in Oklahoma and the Garfield County seat, Enid offers a balance of urban and suburban. Job opportunities abound as the home to Vance Air Force Base and with major employers in the area such as Tyson Foods and St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center.

4. Lawton

Steam locomotive at the Museum of the Great Plains in Lawton, Oklahoma.

With cultural opportunities such as the Comanche National Museum, Museum of the Great Plains, and Fort Sill National Historic Landmark Museum, Lawton has no shortage of attractions for history lovers. And with home prices in the low $100s, even those on a budget will have excess cash each month to see the sights.

5. Muskogee

A city of about 36,000, Muskogee residents pride themselves as true “Okies,” surviving the Dust Bowl and oil bust, according to Visit Muskogee. The town is now a vibrant community featuring museums, festivals, and plenty of activities for locals.

6. Del City

Del City is best known for its proximity to Tinker Air Force Base, one of the most prominent military installations in the U.S. The base provides economic opportunity for this town of around 22,000.

7. Ardmore

Not only is Ardmore an enjoyable place to live, homebuyers meeting USDA eligibility criteria can purchase a home here with zero down payment. The USDA Rural Development home loan agency considers the entire town “rural” and has approved the region for this low-down-payment home loan.

8. McAlester

The McAlester Army Ammunition Plant has played a crucial role in the city's economy since World War II. In addition to the ammunition plant, McAlester's economy is supported by industries such as agriculture, healthcare, and retail.

9. Shawnee

A suburb of Oklahoma City, Shawnee is a town of around 30,000. Its downtown, shops, water park, hiking trails, and more make this an attractive area for homebuyers.

10. Midwest City

Adjacent to Del City – number six on our list – Midwest City is also supported by Tinker AFB. Just 15 minutes outside downtown Oklahoma City, this suburb provides access to employment and culture without feeling too urban.

Get pre-approved for your Oklahoma home

Many towns and cities across Oklahoma are affordable for just about any budget. See what home price you qualify for by requesting your pre-approval from a reputable lender.

Methodology

To find the 10 most affordable housing markets in Oklahoma, we started with typical home prices as reported on the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) Single-Family Home Time Series for November 2023. We assumed a 5% down payment, the typical requirement for first-time buyers. We then calculated the monthly payment on a 30-year fixed mortgage using a 6.845% rate, the average rate at the time of data collection as published on Optimal Blue Mortgage Market Indices for a buyer with less than 20% down and a 700 FICO score. We added PMI costs per rates from mortgage insurance provider MGIC. The stated mortgage payment does not include homeowner’s insurance, property taxes, or HOA dues. To increase relevancy, we limited eligible cities to the top 3,000 largest by population in the U.S. per Zillow’s report.