City comparison
New York is safer than Oklahoma City. New York's crime index is 169 versus 183 in Oklahoma City, and its violent crime index is 195 versus 197, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Oklahoma City is cheaper. Median rent is $1,130 a month versus $1,821 in New York.
The cost gap between New York and Oklahoma City is the real story here. Oklahoma City comes in 38% cheaper on typical rent ($1,821 vs $1,130), which over a year adds up to $8,292. Median household income runs $80,483 in New York and $68,656 in Oklahoma City.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Oklahoma City costs less and New York pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Oklahoma City at $1,130 average has pockets that run $930 and others at $1,530: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
New York and Oklahoma City are 1,324 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,821 a month in New York to $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City, down $691 a month (38%).
Median household income goes from $80,483 in New York to $68,656 in Oklahoma City, down $11,827 (15%).
The crime index goes from 169 in New York to 183 in Oklahoma City, up 14 points (8%).
The move
Oklahoma City and New York are 1,324 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City to $1,821 a month in New York, up $691 a month (61%).
Median household income goes from $68,656 in Oklahoma City to $80,483 in New York, up $11,827 (17%).
The crime index goes from 183 in Oklahoma City to 169 in New York, down 14 points (8%).
New York, NY
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Oklahoma City, OK
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing New York and Oklahoma City? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
38% cheaper
Oklahoma City rent is 38% cheaper than New York
New York
$1,821/mo
Oklahoma City
Winner$1,130/mo
Typical rent runs $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City versus $1,821 in New York, so Oklahoma City is 38% cheaper. That's roughly $691/month back in your pocket ($8,292/year). Over five years that's $41,460 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 New York, 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 Oklahoma City? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
17% higher
New York's median income is 17% higher than Oklahoma City
New York
Winner$80,483
Oklahoma City
$68,656
Median household income is $80,483 in New York versus $68,656 in Oklahoma City, so typical pay runs 17% higher in New York (about $11,827 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, New York 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
8% lower crime
New York's crime index is 8% lower than Oklahoma City
New York
Winner169 (100 = avg)
Oklahoma City
183 (100 = avg)
New York's crime index is 169 versus 183 in Oklahoma City (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 8% lower in New York. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in New York, 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.
Typical weather
25% more comfortable
Oklahoma City weather is 25% more comfortable than New York
New York
58°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 80/100
Oklahoma City
Winner68°F avg · 79°F highs · comfort 100/100
New York averages about 58°F (65°F highs); Oklahoma City averages about 68°F (79°F highs). New York averages around 58°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Oklahoma City sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Oklahoma City scores 25% 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 New York if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
New York is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 17% higher here ($80,483). Start with New York if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
New York is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 8% lower than Oklahoma City (169 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Oklahoma City is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 38% cheaper here at about $1,130 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.
Pick Oklahoma City if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (68°F) beat New York on this page's weather index by 25%. New York may pay more or cost less, but Oklahoma City is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Rent is the clearest fork: Oklahoma City at $1,130/month versus $1,821 in New York ($691 apart). New York median income is $80,483 against $68,656 in Oklahoma City, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Oklahoma City rent at $1,130/month is still below New York's $1,821, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $80,483 in New York versus $68,656 in Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma City clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. New York deserves a serious look only when your $80,483 income offer in New York outweighs saving $691/month in Oklahoma City.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for New York and Oklahoma City, plus other cities in NY and OK.
