($1,391) Movers From McAllen, TX to Oklahoma City, OK

What to know before moving from McAllen to Oklahoma City

Moving from McAllen to Oklahoma City comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Oklahoma City is generally more expensive than McAllen, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Oklahoma City are 8% lower than in McAllen, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Oklahoma City.
  Home prices in Oklahoma City are 11.4% lower than in McAllen.
• Income in Oklahoma City is 11.9% higher than in McAllen, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Oklahoma City include Hobby Lobby, Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores, and Accord Human Resources.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Oklahoma City, since the cost of living for a single person in Oklahoma City is 47.6% higher than in McAllen. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Oklahoma City, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Oklahoma City is 83.3% higher than in McAllen.
• The unemployment rate in Oklahoma City is 44.30% lower than in McAllen.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Oklahoma City, since the city’s sales taxes in Oklahoma City are 4.61% higher than in McAllen.
• State income taxes in Oklahoma City are 4.75% higher than in McAllen.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,426.90 in Oklahoma City to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in McAllen.

How life is different in McAllen vs. Oklahoma City

• The population of Oklahoma City is about 379% greater than McAllen, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Oklahoma City will be about the same as it currently is in McAllen. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
• Living in Oklahoma City means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in McAllen. Oklahoma City is considered more walkable than McAllen, with a score of 73 out of 100 versus 41 out of 100 in McAllen. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Oklahoma City is considered more bike-friendly than McAllen in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Oklahoma City has a bike-friendliness score of 74 out of 100, while McAllen is rated as 46 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Oklahoma City is higher than in McAllen, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 49.37 in Oklahoma City, it is 36.26 in McAllen. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Oklahoma City. With a crime index of 50.63, Oklahoma City ranks lower in overall safety than McAllen, whose index is McAllen's 63.74. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Oklahoma City has better air quality than in McAllen. Oklahoma City has Good air quality, compared to moderate in McAllen. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your McAllen vs. Oklahoma City move

• Weather: Oklahoma City has very hot, humid summers, and cool winters with occasional snowfall. Prolonged and severe droughts (sometimes leading to wildfires in the vicinity), as well as very heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding and flooding, occur with some regularity. Oklahoma City is also located in tornado alley. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid inclement weather during your move.
• HOA rules: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• State licensing: In Oklahoma, in-state household goods movers are certified and licensed by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC). Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Oklahoma, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Oklahoma doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Oklahoma City without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Opting for Released Value Protection is the most cost-effective choice since it comes at no extra expense. Movers provide this option without additional charges, but the coverage it offers is minimal. With Released Value Protection, the mover's liability is limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover were to lose or damage a set of fine china weighing 15 pounds, you would only be compensated $9 (60 cents x 15 pounds). If you require coverage for the full value of your items, it is advisable to discuss alternative options with the moving company or explore third-party insurance providers.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Oklahoma City

With your sights set on "OKC", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Oklahoma City.

Helpful moving resources