Living in Lawton, OK offers a unique blend of small-town charm and military heritage. Located in the heart of Southwest Oklahoma, Lawton is known for its friendly community, rich history, and stunning natural landscapes. The city is home to Fort Sill, a major U.S. Army installation that plays a significant role in the community.
Lawton’s cultural scene is vibrant and varied, featuring attractions like the Museum of the Great Plains, the Comanche National Museum, and the annual International Festival. The city’s parks and outdoor spaces, including the beautiful Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, offer plenty of opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and enjoying the great outdoors.
The dining options in Lawton are diverse and delicious, reflecting the region’s cultural heritage. From classic Southern comfort food to international cuisine, there’s something to satisfy every palate. The city’s farmers markets and local events, such as the Lawton Rangers Rodeo, foster a strong sense of community.
Lawton’s location offers convenient access to outdoor recreational activities, including fishing, boating, and camping. The city is well-connected by major highways and public transportation options, making travel easy. Additionally, the cost of living in Lawton is relatively affordable, providing a great quality of life at a reasonable cost.
For those considering a move to Southwest Oklahoma, Lawton stands out as a top choice. Its blend of military heritage, natural beauty, and strong community spirit make living in Lawton, OK an exceptional experience. Whether you’re drawn by its historical significance, outdoor activities, or vibrant local scene, Lawton offers a truly wonderful place to call home.
Cost Of Living
Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Commute
Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.
Crime
High crime rates per 100,000 people are reported in this area, potentially indicating that it is an unsafe place to live. These statistics consider both violent and property offenses.
Health & Safety
Factors like poor air quality and the absence of essential health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies could have played a role in the low score in this category.
Schools
Factors such as lower than average graduation rates, lackluster reading and math scores and the limited accessibility of local elementary and high schools could contribute to the low schools score.
Ratings
Polls and surveys done by AreaVibes among area residents did not yield positive feedback when it came to the walkability of amenities, safety, nearby parks and the overall sense of community.
Located in the state of Oklahoma, Lawton is a medium-sized city with a population of 97,207 people. Lawton could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 32 years old is below the nation’s average. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Lawton, only 47% of the population is married. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Lawton. With an average one way commute time of only 16 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Are you trying to figure out if living in Lawton is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before moving to any new city in Oklahoma, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. With useful information like crime, cost of living, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Lawton and in the areas around Lawton is a much easier task.
Using data and statistics Lawton has received a livability score of 63/100. This score is ranked in the 51st percentile when compared to all other cities. Based on the grades for each individual category, Lawton has received high marks for amenities (B-), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Lawton. The following was graded with a concerning score: crime (F), education (D-) and employment (D).
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Lawton excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Lawton is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Lawton come in at $201,928, which is 6.3% lower than the Oklahoma average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Lawton, the home price to income ratio is 2.8, which is 6.7% lower than the Oklahoma average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Lawton | Oklahoma | National |
| Average one way commute | 16min | 21min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 71.6% | 82.6% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.6% | 10.1% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.7% | 0.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.8% | 1.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 12.6% | 3.6% | 4.6% |
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