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Rapidly growing states are leading many individuals and families to consider packing up all their belongings and relocating to less populated areas with lower living costs. As of 2025, Oklahoma is one of the most affordable states to live in the US, with lower housing, utilities, gas, and grocery prices overall.

Featuring rolling, timbered hills in the east and treeless high plains to the south and west, Oklahoma鈥檚 varied terrain makes for picturesque scenery. Perfect for those who love to be surrounded by nature while going about their days.

These nine small towns in Oklahoma offer a mix of low-cost living and outdoor beauty, with options for young families, college students, and older adults seeking tranquil places to retire that come with a vibrant sense of community.

Medicine Park

Initially founded in 1908 as Oklahoma鈥檚 first resort town, Medicine Park, Oklahoma, is a cannonball-architecture-filled city that less than 500 residents call home. Medicine Park鈥檚 position in the Wichita Mountains is a stunning backdrop to everyday life, attracting outdoor enthusiasts of all ages who crave that small-town feel.

As with the rest of the state of Oklahoma, Medicine Park remains a more cost-effective place to live than the rest of the US. Overall, living costs are 8% lower than the national average, with typical rent prices reaching $1380 a month. Although Medicine Park is a small community lacking in some amenities, its proximity to Lawton provides access to some of the neighboring city鈥檚 conveniences, such as its medical facilities, like the Lawton Community Health Center, a family practice provider, and the Southwestern Medical Center Hospital.

One of the greatest appeals of Medicine Park is its natural beauty. The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge provides ample space to explore, spanning 59,000 acres of mixed grass prairie, the habitat for hundreds of species of animals, including American bison and the prairie dog. At the foothills of the refuge is the Medicine Park Aquarium and Natural Sciences Center, where visitors can stroll through a butterfly garden and feed the turtles. Another of Medicine Park鈥檚 outdoor offerings is Bath Lake, a beautiful swimming hole with waterfalls located in the center of the downtown area. Here at the lake, people can lounge in the waters, fish for trout, or enjoy the scenery from the shoreline.

Fort Gibson

Established in 1824, Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, is a small town steeped in history and colorful scenery. Fort Gibson is an attractive town for families with young children, with its low cost of living and diverse public schools.

Boasting a decent safety rating with crime rates lower than the average across the US, Fort Gibson is one of the safest small towns in Oklahoma in 2025. Fort Gibson鈥檚 cost of living is in the affordable range, ranking 13% lower than the national average. Around $420 a month can get you a 700 sq ft apartment, and $230,000 can purchase a home. The public schools in Fort Gibson, such as Fort Gibson Middle School and Fort Gibson High School, offer a diverse student body and a low student-to-teacher ratio of 15:1.

It is the site of the state鈥檚 oldest frontier fort, which sits at the Fort Gibson Historic Site and Interpretive Center, where guests can explore 80 acres of grounds and 29 historical buildings and archeological ruins. Getting out in nature is easy at Fort Gibson Lake. Various plant life fills the 19,900 acres, like dogwood blossoms in the spring and red maple in the fall, and 225 miles of shoreline beckon fishermen and boaters year-round.

Chandler

Located at the midway point along Route 66, Chandler, Oklahoma, is one of the state鈥檚 safer cities, providing residents with a rural feel and a unique sense of community. Crime rates for Chandler rank lower than the national average. The cost of living in 2025 is 16.2% less than the national average for the US. Regarding housing, median rent costs are under $600 per month for a 600 sq ft apartment, and the average home value is under $187,000.

Route 66 is often thought fondly of as a fun, nostalgic-filled road trip experience, with many quirky roadside attractions along the way to explore with friends or family. Chandler is home to the Chandler Route 66 Interpretative Center, a museum highlighting the history of Route 66 that shares Oklahoma鈥檚 part in making this famous continuous stretch of paved highway. Nearby, you can find some of the bikes once used to traverse the route at the Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum. Some of the motorcycles date back to 1908.

Chandler is a good location for families with its public school offerings for PK and K-12. Students from these schools have an average 95% graduation rate and demonstrate proficiency in reading and mathematical skills.

Pawhuska

Move to the heart of Osage County and discover American Indian and Western culture in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. This small historical town shares its story in its Nationally Historically Registered buildings and natural areas. With its high level of affordability, Pawhuska is an ideal place to move for families and retirees who wish to have access to outdoor areas while surrounded by vibrant culture.

Pawhuska's outdoor areas include Lake Pawhuska, featuring three miles of shoreline and fishing opportunities, and Osage Hills State Park. The state park is brimming with serene waters, rocky bluffs, and stunning forests across 1,100 acres. Some of Pawhuska's oldest buildings include the still active Frontier Hotel, built in 1912, and The Boarding House, a 1920 building originally used to house storefronts like The Indian Silk Shop.

Eufaula

Located on the shores of Oklahoma鈥檚 largest lake, Lake Eufaula, family-friendly Eufaula, Oklahoma, the city seat of McIntosh County, is a historical town named after a Creek town on the Chattahoochee River in Alabama, its name meaning, 鈥渢hey separated here and went to other places.鈥� Eufaula is one of the lowest-cost small cities in the state, coming in at 22% lower than the US average. Its median rent costs are about $600 per month for spaces a little over 600 sq ft, and homes in the middle range value at approximately $190,000.

Eufaula鈥檚 highlights are its nationally registered historical 20-block downtown area for strolling and shopping and its outdoor recreational opportunities. Go horseback riding at the Little Turtle RV Park and Horse Resort, or venture to one of the city鈥檚 state parks, Arrowhead State Park and Fountainhead State Park, to engage in hiking and watersport activities. Community events include the annual Lighted Boat Parade and Eufaula Arts Festival, which includes live music and kid-friendly activities.

Poteau

For students or young professionals wishing to pursue higher education while surrounded by nature, Potaeu, Oklahoma, is an ideal destination to put down roots. Located in Southeastern Oklahoma, on the banks of the Poteau River, the city of Poteau, Oklahoma, is almost entirely surrounded by mountains. With glimpses of the Sugar Loaf Mountain in the east, the Winding Stair Mountain Range in the south, and to the west, the 海角社区鈥檚 highest hill, Cavanal Hill, a mere one foot shy of official mountain status.

Potaeu鈥檚 cost of living in 2025 is 23% lower than the national average and 6.3% lower than Oklahoma鈥檚 average. The city鈥檚 Carl Albert State College offers tuition and fee costs that are among the lowest in the USA. As of 2025, the price for a year at CASC comes in around $5,000 a year for students who are residents of Oklahoma. Compared to many colleges, which cost around $38,000 annually for a four-year program, Carl Albert State College can save individuals a lot of money, and with over 20 degree and certificate programs, students have options.

Poteau is home to natural wonders, like the Kiamichi Mountains, where natural springs flow and abundant wildlife await. Enjoy activities like hiking through the foliage and camping under the stars come nightfall. Another of Poteau鈥檚 outdoor offerings is the Talimena National Scenic Byway. The 54-mile route provides spectacular sights of the highest mountain ranges between the Rockies and the Appalachians.

Sulphur

Recognized as the gateway to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Sulphur, Oklahoma, is known for its mineral waters, streams, lakes, and swimming holes. Sulphur is one of three areas administered by the National Park Service. The city is home to the Platt Historic District, where you can find Little Niagra Falls, and the Travertine Nature Center, which includes exhibits of southern Oklahoma鈥檚 forest and prairie ecosystem. One of the best ways to explore the south-central rolling hills of Oklahoma is through the Arbuckle Trail Rides. These scenic guided tours on horseback are fun for recreational riders.

Living in Sulphur costs 24.3% less than it does across the rest of the country. A typical home costs about $137,600, and a standard two-bedroom apartment costs about $790 a month. The city鈥檚 high level of affordability makes it a perfect location for young families, recent graduates, and retirees.

Bartlesville

Bartlesville, Oklahoma, located in Northeast Oklahoma, almost 50 miles north of Tulsa, is a small city with a big heart ideal for young professionals and college students. This city is the former home to one of the largest oil companies in the 海角社区, Phillips Petroleum Co. Now functioning as two companies, Phillips 66 and ConocoPhillips, the companies are some of the biggest employers in Bartlesville. This town holds a yearly musical event, OK Mozart, featuring musicians from across the globe. It is home to the Price Tower, the only skyscraper architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed.

In Bartlesville, individuals can find a 24.6% lower cost of living compared to the average of the rest of the country. Rent prices are low, with a standard two-bedroom apartment priced at $720 monthly, and the median home price is $151,600.

Bartlesville features Rogers State University, a public four-year university with a wide variety of degree programs for undergraduate and graduate programs. Taking 12 credit hours costs student residents of Oklahoma just under $4,000 and non-residents of Oklahoma a little over $8,000. Bartlesville is also home to a private, non-profit four-year university, Oklahoma Wesleyan University, which features a 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio and over 30 bachelor's degree programs.

Broken Bow

Nestled in the heart of McCurtain County, Oklahoma, is a hidden gen, Broken Bow, Oklahoma. Offering an abundance of opportunities for kids to elderly adults to embrace the great outdoors, Broken Bow is an affordable place to call home that can make one feel like they are on a permanent vacation. The Beavers Bend State Park offers serene hiking trails, and Broken Bow Lake delivers unbelievably beautiful boating excursions. In the Lower Mountain Fork, adventurous fly-fishing opportunities abound.

Out of Oklahoma鈥檚 small towns, Broken Bow is among the most cost-efficient, with living costs 25.8% lower than the rest of the US. Houses sell for around $202,000, and renting a two-bedroom apartment costs an average monthly sum of $780.

Broken Bow is close to well-regarded medical facilities like the Kiamichi Family Medical Center and the Black Oak Clinic. Community events include annual festivals like Okie Gras, which brings a taste of Louisiana to the area with delicious food and fun, and the Beavers Bend Folk Festival and Craft Show.

Oklahoma's cost of living is unmatched, with small towns ranging from 8% to almost 26% lower than the national average. In Oklahoma, high school graduates or professionals looking to continue a higher education can find cost-effective schooling in Poteau at Carl State University or at Rogers State University in Bartlesville. Outdoor beauty is all over Oklahoma, with the Wichita Mountains in Medicine Park, state parks in Eufaula, and the Little Niagra Falls in Sulphur. Broken Bow feels like the ultimate outdoor vacation destination for any nature enthusiast. Anyone seeking unique communities has options. Fort Gibson and Pawhuska are shaped by their historical roots. Chandler's placement along Route 66 provides a distinct culture. The state of Oklahoma and its many small towns offers widespread appeal and can be a great place to call home.