Before You Move ThereBefore You Move There
New search

City comparison

Austin, TX vs Oklahoma City, OK

The income gap between Austin and Oklahoma City is significant: $86,556 median household versus $64,251. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,852 in Austin and $1,244 in Oklahoma City.

Austin is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, schools, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Oklahoma City makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Austin is the stronger move.

The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Oklahoma City at $1,244 average has pockets that run $1,044 and others at $1,644: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.

Full Austin reportFull Oklahoma City report

Austin, TX

Rent
1,852/mo
Median income
86,556
Crime index
117
Schools
A
Weather
92°F

Oklahoma City, OK

Rent
1,244/mo
Median income
64,251
Crime index
130
Schools
A-
Weather
92°F

Rent

33% cheaper

Oklahoma City rent is 33% cheaper than Austin

Austin

$1,852/mo

Oklahoma City

Winner

$1,244/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,244 a month in Oklahoma City versus $1,852 in Austin, so Oklahoma City is 33% cheaper. That's roughly $608/month back in your pocket ($7,296/year). Over five years that's $36,480 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Austin, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Oklahoma City is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.

Planning to buy in Austin? Check mortgage rates before you decide.

Check rates

Median income

35% higher

Austin's median income is 35% higher than Oklahoma City

Austin

Winner

$86,556

Oklahoma City

$64,251

What this means for your life

Median household income is $86,556 in Austin versus $64,251 in Oklahoma City, so typical pay runs 35% higher in Austin (about $22,305 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Austin is the stronger labor market on paper. Oklahoma City can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.

Crime index

10% lower crime

Austin's crime index is 10% lower than Oklahoma City

Austin

Winner

117 (100 = avg)

Oklahoma City

130 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Austin's crime index is 117 versus 130 in Oklahoma City (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 10% lower in Austin. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Austin, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Oklahoma City. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.

School scores

5% higher scores

Austin's school scores are 5% higher than Oklahoma City

Austin

Winner

A · 88/100

Oklahoma City

A- · 84/100

What this means for your life

Austin grades out at A (88/100) against A- (84/100) in Oklahoma City. School scores run 5% higher in Austin. The citywide gap is modest. For families with kids it is still worth checking the specific campuses you would actually use, because a small composite lead can disappear (or reverse) two neighborhoods over. Oklahoma City is only the better school story if a campus you already researched beats this composite.

Typical weather

6% more comfortable

Austin weather is 6% more comfortable than Oklahoma City

Austin

Winner

92°F avg · 104°F highs · comfort 38/100

Oklahoma City

92°F avg · 105°F highs · comfort 36/100

What this means for your life

Austin averages about 92°F (104°F highs); Oklahoma City averages about 92°F (105°F highs). Austin often hits 104°F highs, so expect heavy AC use and limited outdoor time in summer. Oklahoma City often hits 105°F highs, so expect heavy AC use and limited outdoor time in summer. Austin scores 6% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Oklahoma City if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.

Fit check

Who should choose Austin

Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access

It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 35% higher ($86,556), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 92°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.

Austin is the stronger everyday city for households that care about calm streets and usable public schools. Safety and school scores both land here. You will still pick a neighborhood with care, but the citywide baseline is less of a gamble than in Oklahoma City.

Open the Austin report →

Fit check

Who should choose Oklahoma City

People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 33% cheaper here at about $1,244 a month. Choose Oklahoma City if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.

Open the Oklahoma City report →

Bottom line

Austin vs Oklahoma City: Our Take

Austin wins overall on this comparison, taking 4 of the 5 categories against 1 for Oklahoma City.

Austin's median household income is 35% higher ($86,556 vs $64,251), which can offset housing cost for higher earners.

The main trade-off: Oklahoma City's typical rent runs 33% lower than Austin ($1,244/month vs $1,852/month), which is real money over a lease.

The decision comes down to whether you value the job market more than cost of living. For most middle-income movers, Austin is the stronger choice.

Common questions

Austin vs Oklahoma City FAQ

Is Austin cheaper than Oklahoma City?
No. Oklahoma City is cheaper: typical rent is $1,244 a month versus $1,852 in Austin (33% lower). Median household income is $86,556 in Austin compared with $64,251 in Oklahoma City, so Austin has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Austin or Oklahoma City?
Austin is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 117 versus 130 in Oklahoma City (10% lower; 100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.
Which city has better schools, Austin or Oklahoma City?
Austin has better schools on this comparison: A (88/100) versus A- in Oklahoma City. School scores run 5% higher. District averages can hide campus-level gaps, so check the zoned elementary, middle, and high school you would actually use.

Ready to move to Austin?

Get a mortgage rate →

Next steps

Tools for your move

Quotes and listings for Austin when you're ready to act.

Keep researching

Explore more comparisons

Nearby research

Related Cities

Open full neighborhood reports for Austin and Oklahoma City, plus other cities in TX and OK.