Oklahoma City, capital of its namesake state, is a midsized city of 681,054 people, approximately 85,800 of whom are seniors. This Great Plains city enjoys relatively mild winters, with regular highs in the low to mid-50s and lows that only occasionally dip to below freezing. Additionally, OKC can be a smart choice for residency if you’re keeping an eye on your retirement budget. Its cost of living is below average in almost every category, including transportation and grocery prices.
Assisted living facilities represent a good option for seniors who find themselves needing light help with basic activities such as feeding themselves or managing their medication but who aren’t in need of the around-the-clock medical supervision maintained by nursing homes. In Oklahoma City, the price of assisted living averages $4,800 a month per Genworth Financial’s reporting, putting the city’s costs significantly above the state average.
This guide to assisted living in Oklahoma City examines how its assisted living costs compare to those elsewhere in Oklahoma and some of its neighboring states’ cities. It also includes a list of low- or no-cost resources to help seniors in the area get the most out of their retirement years.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in Oklahoma. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
Older adults seeking assisted living care in Oklahoma City can expect to pay an average of $4,800 a month.
As the state’s capital and by far its most populated city, OKC’s monthly cost for assisted living is almost $1,000 higher than the state average of $3,855. Oklahoma City’s costs are also $300 higher than the U.S. average of $4,500.
The other three Oklahoma cities examined by Genworth Financial are considerably less expensive than OKC when it comes to assisted living. Tulsa, the state’s second-largest city, has monthly costs perfectly in line with the state average at $3,855. Lawton is home to the state’s least expensive costs at $3,561, while Enid is slightly over the Oklahoma average at $3,980. The price range widens a bit when looking at the bordering state of Kansas, where Wichita has higher assisted living costs than any city in Oklahoma at $5,425 per month.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in Oklahoma.
Resource |
Contact |
Service |
405-521-1302 |
This nonprofit serves Oklahoma seniors age 60 and up with free legal aid regarding civil matters. Qualified adults may receive help filing or registering property documents, fighting wage garnishments, transferring powers of attorney and more. Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma cannot provide free legal assistance on criminal matters, but it can refer parties to information on working with public defenders. | |
405-297-1459 |
This city-run senior center provides a gathering place that allows the area’s older population to participate in discussion groups on current events, take art and other creative classes, and join in on light exercise such as dance and yoga. | |
405-271-2290 |
The University of Oklahoma’s Health Science Center offers this program’s suite of safety and health seminars to seniors in the OKC area. Topics include safe driving in your later years, nutrition for older adults, the benefits of low-impact exercise such as tai chi and advice on effective medication management. | |
405-521-2281 |
This office ensures the safety and health of the residents of long-term care communities by investigating complaints about quality of care in these facilities. Ombudsmen also provide residents of assisted living and nursing home communities with information about their rights. | |
918-664-9000 |
Oklahoma seniors who meet certain income guidelines can receive free help with basic tax preparation from this nonprofit organization. Operators are available during tax season to set up appointments and offer some guidance by phone. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Oklahoma City area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.