Living in McAlester, Oklahoma
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of McAlester · Census data 2020–2024
McAlester has 18,111 residents with a median age of 35.6. The median household income is $51,930 (20% lower than the Oklahoma median), the median home value is $151,600, the median rent is $915/month.
McAlester at a glance
- Population
- 18,111
- Median age
- 35.6State: 37
- Median household income
- $51,930State: $65,039
- Median home value
- $151,600State: $199,800
- Median rent
- $915/moState: $1,014
- Homeowners
- 58.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21%
- Average commute
- 16 min
Is McAlester a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 24% lower than the state median; an average commute of 16 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 20% lower than the Oklahoma median; unemployment of 6.9%; a poverty rate of 19.7%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in McAlester
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In McAlester the median home value is $151,600, 54% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $915 per month, which is 29.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,248 a month in housing costs.
McAlester median household income
The median household income in McAlester is $51,930 and the income per person is $27,708. 19.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Oklahoma: 15.3%).
Housing in McAlester: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 8,188
- Owner-occupied
- 58.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 41.5%
- Vacant
- 12.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1971
- Average household size
- 2.23
McAlester demographics
- Population
- 18,111
- Median age
- 35.6
- Under 18
- 23.7%
- 65 and older
- 15.8%
- Households
- 7,200
- Foreign-born
- 2%
- Veterans
- 8.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of McAlester ›
Education in McAlester
21% of adults 25 and older in McAlester have a bachelor's degree or higher (Oklahoma: 28.3%), and 7.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in McAlester
- Unemployment rate
- 6.9%State: 5%
- Average commute
- 16 minState: 22 min
- Work from home
- 6.4%
- Drive alone
- 82.3%
- Public transit
- 0.2%
- Walk to work
- 1.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.7%
McAlester vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McAlester | 18,111 | $51,930 | $151,600 | $915 |
| Krebs | 2,119 | $45,893 | $106,100 | $852 |
| Alderson | 259 | $42,917 | $84,500 | $1,281 |
| Savanna | 485 | $55,156 | $103,300 | $475 |
| Bug Tussle | 265 | $84,911 | $161,600 | — |
| Arpelar | 312 | $87,750 | $124,000 | $870 |
| Haywood | 147 | $61,042 | $198,100 | — |
| Haileyville | 614 | $48,036 | $79,200 | $729 |
| Hartshorne | 1,642 | $39,630 | $90,300 | $680 |
More for people moving to McAlester
McAlester ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in McAlester: FAQ
What is the median household income in McAlester, OK?
The median household income in McAlester is $51,930, 20% lower than the Oklahoma median of $65,039 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in McAlester?
The median home value in McAlester is $151,600, compared with $199,800 in Oklahoma.
How much is rent in McAlester?
The median gross rent in McAlester is $915 per month, about 29.5% of household income.
Is McAlester, OK a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 24% lower than the state median; an average commute of 16 minutes. Minuses: median household income 20% lower than the Oklahoma median; unemployment of 6.9%; a poverty rate of 19.7%.
What is the median age in McAlester?
The median age in McAlester is 35.6 years (Oklahoma: 37).
How long is the commute in McAlester?
The average commute to work in McAlester is 16 minutes; 6.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in McAlester?
The unemployment rate in McAlester is 6.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is McAlester?
21% of adults in McAlester have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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