Oklahoma City closed 2025 on solid economic footing, marked by steady job growth, historically low unemployment, and continued business investment across the metro. While growth is expected to moderate in 2026, the region enters the year from a position of strength, supported by a diverse economy and long-term development efforts.
Oklahoma continues to rank among the most affordable places to live in the United States, landing in the No. 4 spot for lowest cost of living, according to a recent Visual Capitalist article using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
The 2024 By the Numbers report from the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber shows that the region continues to experience significant growth and economic expansion. From population increases to sector growth and improvements in workforce development, the report provides an updated snapshot of the area's ongoing development. Below are some of the key updates:
For the month of July, Oklahoma City had an unemployment rate of just 2.8%. This represented the 8th-lowest unemployment rate in the U.S. for metros with more than one million people.
The Greater Oklahoma City Outlook looks at key economic indicators to help forecast the coming year.
Read an excerpt from this year's Greater Oklahoma City Outlook.
In 2023, the Oklahoma City metro should continue to show positive growth despite slowing national economic conditions, according to the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber’s annual Greater Oklahoma City Economic Outlook.
For July, the Oklahoma City metro had an unemployment rate of just 3.1%. This represents the 11th-lowest rate among metro areas with more than 1 million in population.
