True Cost of Renting in Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City reinvented itself through the MAPS (Metropolitan Area Projects) initiative — a series of voter-approved sales taxes that built Paycom Center (Thunder arena), the Scissortail Park, and the Oklahoma River whitewater rafting course. Bricktown and Midtown have become genuine urban neighborhoods. OG&E serves as the electric utility with rates below the national average, keeping utility costs manageable.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Midtown

Studio:
$900/mo
1 Bed:
$1,100/mo
2 Bed:
$1,600/mo

OKC's trendiest urban neighborhood; renovated historic buildings mixed with new infill on NW 10th–16th and Walker-Classen. Strong independent restaurant and bar scene. OG&E electric. Most buildings include one free parking space. Street parking available on residential blocks.

Bricktown

Studio:
$1,000/mo
1 Bed:
$1,300/mo
2 Bed:
$1,800/mo

OKC's entertainment district adjacent to the Paycom Center and Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark; converted brick warehouse lofts and new construction. Vibrant nightlife within walking distance. Thunder game nights bring crowds and parking challenges. Parking $50–100/mo in most buildings.

The Plaza / Paseo Arts District

Studio:
$850/mo
1 Bed:
$1,050/mo
2 Bed:
$1,500/mo

OKC's arts district northwest of Downtown; Spanish Mission Revival architecture, galleries, and the Plaza District retail corridor on NW 16th. Eclectic mix of apartments and converted homes. One of OKC's most walkable neighborhoods. Free street parking throughout.

Utility Providers

Electric
OG&E (Oklahoma Gas and Electric)
Water
City of Oklahoma City Water/Wastewater
Internet
Cox Communications, AT&T Fiber, Google Fiber

Commute & Transportation

Oklahoma City is a freeway metro — I-35 (north-south), I-40 (east-west), and I-44 form the primary corridors with the Crosstown Expressway connecting them Downtown. Tinker Air Force Base is 12 miles southeast of Downtown on I-40 — a major employer for the metro area. Will Rogers World Airport is 8 miles southwest of Downtown via I-44. The EMBARK transit system runs buses on major corridors with limited frequency; a downtown streetcar loop (the OKC Streetcar) serves the core. Most OKC employment requires a car. Edmond is 20 miles north via I-35; Norman is 20 miles south via I-35.

Rental Market Overview

Oklahoma City is one of the most affordable major metros in the south-central US — a solid 1BR in a nice neighborhood for under $1,200/month is realistic. OG&E's electric rates are among the lowest in the region, with summer cooling bills for a 1BR typically running $100–175/month. The MAPS investment has genuinely revitalized the urban core, supporting rising demand in Midtown and Bricktown. Google Fiber has expanded service in OKC, providing competition that keeps internet costs reasonable. Renters insurance averages $18–28/month — tornado risk drives slightly above-average insurance costs. The OKC Thunder create cultural energy that sustains demand for Bricktown adjacency.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Oklahoma City

Enter your rental options below to see the true all-in monthly cost.

Renting in Oklahoma City: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Oklahoma City?
One-bedroom apartments in Oklahoma City range from $1,050/month in The Plaza / Paseo Arts District to $1,300/month in Bricktown. Two-bedroom units range from $1,500 to $1,800/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Oklahoma City?
In Oklahoma City, electricity is provided by OG&E (Oklahoma Gas and Electric), water by City of Oklahoma City Water/Wastewater, and common internet providers include Cox Communications, AT&T Fiber, Google Fiber. Ask the leasing office for the specific unit's average monthly bill rather than a city-wide figure — utility costs vary more by building age and insulation than by location within Oklahoma City.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Oklahoma City?
The Plaza / Paseo Arts District is the most affordable of the 3 Oklahoma City neighborhoods covered here, at $1,050/month for a one-bedroom — $250 less than Bricktown, roughly a 19% gap. That swing is often bigger than any fee or amenity difference between two buildings in the same neighborhood, which is why comparing across neighborhoods matters as much as comparing within one.
Is Oklahoma City expensive to rent in?
Across the 3 neighborhoods covered here, the average one-bedroom in Oklahoma City runs about $1,150/month before fees, utilities, and amenities are added — and those add-ons are exactly what a bare average hides. Oklahoma City is one of the most affordable major metros in the south-central US — a solid 1BR in a nice neighborhood for under $1,200/month is realistic. Run the specific units you are considering through RentCompare to see the true all-in monthly cost rather than relying on an area average.

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