Poteau 57 Below average
Poteau Livability #485 ranked city in Oklahoma#22,172 ranked city in the USARanks better than 24% of areas
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Poteau

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

  • Employment Employment

    In the employment category, a low score could be attributed to low income levels and high unemployment in the area, suggesting potential difficulties in finding lucrative employment.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    The low score in this category could be due to challenges related to air quality and the limited accessibility of health-related facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, doctors and pharmacies.

  • Schools Schools

    The low schools score could result from issues like below-average graduation rates, inadequate reading and math scores, and the unavailability of local elementary and high schools.

What's it like Living in Poteau?

Poteau is a smaller city located in the state of Oklahoma. The city has a population of 9,140 residents. At 77%, the majority of the Poteau population is White; this is followed by 9% American Indian and Alaskan and 1% Black. Poteau could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 33 years old is below the nation’s average. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Poteau is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 26 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to ascertain if living in Poteau 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. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, commute, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Poteau and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Poteau to Oklahoma and the national average.

Using data and statistics Poteau has received a livability score of 54 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 19th percentile when compared to all other cities. This is not a favorable rating; as this score ranks among some of the lowest in America. Living in Poteau may not be a pleasant experience. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Poteau ranks very well for housing (A+). There are some categories that Poteau ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F), crime (F), education (F) and employment (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Poteau has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

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 Poteau is real estate affordability. The median home price for Poteau homes is $201,355, which is 6.5% lower than the Oklahoma average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Poteau, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.4, which is 13.3% higher than the Oklahoma average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Poteau

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Poteau?

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Compare Poteau, OK Livability

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      Poteau transportation information

      Statistic Poteau Oklahoma National
      Average one way commute26min21min26min
      Workers who drive to work84.8%82.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.9%10.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%0.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.7%1.8%2.8%
      Working from home2.6%3.6%4.6%
      Source: The Poteau, 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.