McAlester 71 Excellent
McAlester Livability #34 ranked city in Oklahoma#7,274 ranked city in the USARanks better than 75% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in McAlester

PROS
  • Cost Of Living 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 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.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Employment Employment

    The combination of low income levels and high unemployment rates contributes to a low score in the employment category, which could make it challenging to secure well-paying jobs.

What's it like Living in McAlester?

McAlester is a medium-sized city located in the state of Oklahoma. The city has a population of 18,601 inhabitants. If we look at the most recent Census, McAlester is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are American Indian and Alaskan and Black. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, McAlester is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 17 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in McAlester, Oklahoma. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. The best areas in McAlester and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, cost of living, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Oklahoma and national averages.

With a livability score of 71 out of 100, McAlester is ranked #6,323 in the United States and #33 in Oklahoma. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. McAlester ranks well for housing (A-) There are some categories that McAlester ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F), education (D) and employment (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.

Achieving a cost-effective lifestyle can be pivotal in managing your monthly expenditures, especially given the ongoing upward trajectory of everday goods and housing prices. In McAlester, residents are fortunate to experience a cost of living that is 20.03% below the national average. This advantageous positioning extends its impact to a wide spectrum of expenses, encompassing not only goods and services but also transportation and health care costs. As a result, this area stands out as a place where your money stretches further, ensuring that you can maintain a more economical and sustainable lifestyle. This affordability becomes increasingly valuable in an era marked by soaring costs, making McAlester an attractive choice for those seeking financial prudence without compromising on quality of life.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. McAlester 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.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in McAlester. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in McAlester are affordable. The median home price for McAlester homes is $176,295, which is 18.2% lower than the Oklahoma average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in McAlester, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.7, which is 10% lower than the Oklahoma average.

Best Places to Live in and Around McAlester

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How Do You Rate The Livability In McAlester?

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Compare McAlester, OK Livability

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      McAlester transportation information

      Statistic McAlester Oklahoma National
      Average one way commute17min21min26min
      Workers who drive to work78.8%82.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.2%10.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.1%0.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk4.6%1.8%2.8%
      Working from home6.1%3.6%4.6%
      Source: The McAlester, OK data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.