Oklahoma City ranked lowest-cost large city in U.S. in new C2ER report

Oklahoma City continues to stand out for affordability, ranking as the lowest-cost large city in the nation according to the newly released 2026 Q1 Cost of Living Index from C2ER, The Council for Community and Economic Research. 

The report found Oklahoma City’s overall composite index at 81.0, placing the metro 19 points below the national average and tied for the fourth-lowest cost of living among all 272 participating urban areas. The composite index measures the overall cost of living in a metro area using a national average of 100, meaning Oklahoma City’s score reflects costs that are roughly 19% below the national benchmark. 

Among metros with populations over 500,000, Oklahoma City ranked No. 1 for affordability. The city’s composite score also improved slightly from the previous report, decreasing by 0.9 points from 2025 Q3. 

Housing remained Oklahoma City’s strongest affordability advantage, posting an index of 60.2, meaning housing costs were nearly 40% below the national average. Transportation costs also came in well below national benchmarks at 84.0, while utilities and healthcare each remained below average. 

Oklahoma City’s 2026 Q1 category breakdown included: 

• Composite: 81.0 (-0.9) 

• Grocery: 94.2 (+0.7) 

• Housing: 60.2 (+1.0) 

• Utilities: 94.2 (-3.7) 

• Transportation: 84.0 (-4.5) 

• Health Care: 94.1 (-1.2) 

• Miscellaneous Goods & Services: 87.5 

The quarterly Cost of Living Index measures regional differences in the cost of consumer goods and services across six categories: housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, healthcare and miscellaneous goods and services. 

The findings add to Oklahoma City’s growing reputation as a place where residents and businesses can benefit from lower costs while still accessing the amenities and opportunities of a major metro area.