Best counties to retire to in Oklahoma
Buyers and sellers of real estate alike—when asked what are the three most essential considerations about a property—will nearly always reply "location, location, location." While this answer is sometimes tongue-in-cheek, it is often quite accurate, and this reply perhaps applies to retirees more than any other demographic. Settling down after a lifetime of working and perhaps raising a family calls for the perfect location: a spot where you can enjoy life with as few concerns as possible.
When seniors aged 65 years or older decide on where they want to live out their golden years, they consider very specific factors, such as the cost of living, government services, health care facilities, weather and overall climate, crime rate, outdoor recreational activities, eating establishments, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and more.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to retire in Oklahoma using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, healthcare, recreation and weather. Read more about Niche's methodology here.
Location is critical as retirees determine where to spend their senior years enjoying favorite activities; however, it’s a very unique decision based on a multitude of preferences and needs. Whether it be bustling downtowns or access to parks, affordable home prices or cultural amenities like museums, retirees seeking to settle in a permanent spot are sure to find a private paradise in any of these counties recommended by Niche because, in the end, there is no place like home—no matter the location.
Read on to discover the best counties to retire to in Oklahoma.
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#25. Coal County
- Top places to live: Lehigh (B), Coalgate (B), Tupelo (B-)
#24. Johnston County
- Top places to live: Mannsville (B+), Tishomingo (B), Mill Creek (B-)
#23. McClain County
- Top places to live: Goldsby (A), Newcastle (A-), Blanchard (B+)
#22. Tillman County
- Top places to live: Frederick (B), Grandfield (B), Davidson (B)
#21. Washita County
- Top places to live: New Cordell (B), Corn (B+), Sentinel (B+)
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#20. Garfield County
- Top places to live: Enid (B+), North Enid (B+), Breckenridge (B)
#19. Kay County
- Top places to live: Tonkawa (B+), Ponca City (B+), Blackwell (B-)
#18. Pittsburg County
- Top places to live: McAlester (B+), Krebs (B), Hartshorne (B)

#17. Tulsa County
- Top places to live: Jenks (A), Bixby (A), Owasso (A)
#16. Latimer County
- Top places to live: Wilburton (B)
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#15. Atoka County
- Top places to live: Lane (B+), Caney (B), Stringtown (B)
#14. Pottawatomie County
- Top places to live: Tecumseh (B), Shawnee (B-), Johnson (B+)
#13. Logan County
- Top places to live: Guthrie (B-), Langston (B+), Cedar Valley (B)
#12. Pontotoc County
- Top places to live: Ada (A-), Byng (A), Francis (B+)
#11. Carter County
- Top places to live: Ardmore (B), Dickson (B+), Lone Grove (B+)
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#10. Cleveland County
- Top places to live: Norman (A), Moore (A-), Noble (B)
#9. Pushmataha County
- Top places to live: Rattan (B+), Antlers (B), Clayton (B-)

#8. Oklahoma County
- Top places to live: Edmond (A+), Oklahoma City (A-), The Village (A-)
#7. Murray County
- Top places to live: Davis (B+), Sulphur (B+), Dougherty (B)
#6. Jefferson County
- Top places to live: Waurika (B), Cornish (B-), Addington (B-)
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#5. McIntosh County
- Top places to live: Checotah (B-), Eufaula (B-), Texanna (B-)
#4. Stephens County
- Top places to live: Marlow (B), Duncan (B-), Velma (B+)
#3. Washington County
- Top places to live: Bartlesville (A), Dewey (B-), Ramona (B-)
#2. Marshall County
- Top places to live: Oakland (B), Madill (B), Kingston (B+)
#1. Delaware County
- Top places to live: Grove (B), Cleora (B+), Twin Oaks (B)
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