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City comparison

Philadelphia, PA vs Oklahoma City, OK

Climate is the sharpest divide between Philadelphia and Oklahoma City. Philadelphia averages 74°F while Oklahoma City averages 92°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,810 versus $1,244.

Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Oklahoma City is the easier city on typical rent, but Philadelphia can still be the better daily fit depending on schools, safety, and climate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.

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 Philadelphia reportFull Oklahoma City report

Philadelphia, PA

Rent
1,810/mo
Median income
57,537
Crime index
128
Schools
A-
Weather
74°F

Oklahoma City, OK

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

Rent

31% cheaper

Oklahoma City rent is 31% cheaper than Philadelphia

Philadelphia

$1,810/mo

Oklahoma City

Winner

$1,244/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,244 a month in Oklahoma City versus $1,810 in Philadelphia, so Oklahoma City is 31% cheaper. That's roughly $566/month back in your pocket ($6,792/year). Over five years that's $33,960 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 Philadelphia, 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.

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Median income

12% higher

Oklahoma City's median income is 12% higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia

$57,537

Oklahoma City

Winner

$64,251

What this means for your life

Median household income is $64,251 in Oklahoma City versus $57,537 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 12% higher in Oklahoma City (about $6,714 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, Oklahoma City is the stronger labor market on paper. Philadelphia can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.

Crime index

2% lower crime

Philadelphia's crime index is 2% lower than Oklahoma City

Philadelphia

Winner

128 (100 = avg)

Oklahoma City

130 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Philadelphia's crime index is 128 versus 130 in Oklahoma City (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 2% lower in Philadelphia. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Philadelphia, 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

Neck and neck

Philadelphia and Oklahoma City are about even on school scores.

Philadelphia

A- · 84/100

Oklahoma City

A- · 84/100

What this means for your life

School composites are effectively even (A- in Philadelphia, A- in Oklahoma City). For families with kids this is a warning if you assumed one city was obviously better. At this range the campus, not the city name, decides it. Tour the zoned elementary you would actually use.

Typical weather

178% more comfortable

Philadelphia weather is 178% more comfortable than Oklahoma City

Philadelphia

Winner

74°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100

Oklahoma City

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

What this means for your life

Philadelphia averages about 74°F (82°F highs); Oklahoma City averages about 92°F (105°F highs). Philadelphia sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Oklahoma City often hits 105°F highs, so expect heavy AC use and limited outdoor time in summer. Philadelphia scores 178% 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 Philadelphia

Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing

Pick Philadelphia if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (74°F) beat Oklahoma City on this page's weather index by 178%. Oklahoma City may pay more or cost less, but Philadelphia is the city where the forecast fights you less.

Philadelphia is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 2% lower than Oklahoma City (128 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.

Open the Philadelphia report →

Fit check

Who should choose Oklahoma City

Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth

Oklahoma City is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 31% 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.

Oklahoma City is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 12% higher here ($64,251). Start with Oklahoma City if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.

Open the Oklahoma City report →

Bottom line

Philadelphia vs Oklahoma City: Our Take

Philadelphia and Oklahoma City split the scoreboard, so this page tips to Oklahoma City as the stronger default package for most movers.

Oklahoma City's typical rent runs 31% lower than Philadelphia ($1,244/month vs $1,810/month), which is real money over a lease.

The main trade-off: Philadelphia posts a 2% lower crime index (128 vs 130, where 100 is the national average).

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

Common questions

Philadelphia vs Oklahoma City FAQ

Is Philadelphia cheaper than Oklahoma City?
No. Oklahoma City is cheaper: typical rent is $1,244 a month versus $1,810 in Philadelphia (31% lower). Median household income is $57,537 in Philadelphia compared with $64,251 in Oklahoma City, so Oklahoma City has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Philadelphia or Oklahoma City?
Philadelphia is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 128 versus 130 in Oklahoma City (2% 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, Philadelphia or Oklahoma City?
School composites are close: A- in Philadelphia and A- in Oklahoma City. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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