McAlester 71 Excellent
McAlester Livability #33 ranked city in Oklahoma#6,323 ranked city in the USARanks better than 78% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in McAlester

PROS
  • 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.

  • 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

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

  • 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.

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What's it like Living in McAlester?

McAlester, Oklahoma is a moderately-sized city with a population of 18,042 people. According to the most recent Census, 72% of McAlester residents are White, 6% American Indian and Alaskan and 5% Black. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in McAlester. With an average one way commute time of only 17 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in McAlester could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Oklahoma if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, health & safety, education, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in McAlester and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare McAlester to Oklahoma and the national average.

McAlester, OK receives 70 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #28 in Oklahoma and #6,417 in the USA. Based on the scores for each individual category, McAlester has been rewarded with high marks for housing (B-). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in McAlester. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F), education (D) and employment (F).

In today's ever-changing economic climate, pursuing a cost-effective lifestyle takes on heightened importance, particularly with the continual increase in prices for everyday necessities. When living in McAlester, residents are privileged to experience a cost of living that stands 20.85% below the national average. This advantageous position has a far-reaching impact, spanning a wide array of expenditures, encompassing not just goods and services, but also housing, groceries, and transportation costs. As a result, this area emerges as a central hub where your financial resources yield greater value, allowing for the maintenance of an economically sustainable lifestyle. This affordability holds exceptional significance in an era characterized by mounting expenses, making McAlester an attractive destination for individuals seeking financial prudence without compromising their quality of life.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in McAlester can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

McAlester real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in McAlester. The median home price for McAlester homes is $96,000, which is 20.9% 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 2.2, which is 12% 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).