OklahomaPop. 24,877Towns
Is Ardmore a Good Place to Live? Ardmore, Oklahoma: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Ardmore ranks #1224 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #218 of 234 towns and #18 of 20 in Oklahoma. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low living costs (83.6, #2 of 230) and affordable homes ($170,000, #41 of 231), and trails on high violent crime (1,050 per 100,000, #143 of 146) and high unemployment (4.5%, #61 of 67).
Ardmore by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Ardmore's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
What is the cost of living in Ardmore?
Ardmore's cost of living index is 83.6, 16% below the US level of 100 and #7 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,006/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $157,231, 30% below the typical Oklahoma home ($223,261).
| Measure | Ardmore | OklahomaOK | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 94.3 · US 100 | 83.6#7 of 1,308 | 87.8 | 94.3 | 100 |
| Typical home valueZillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $325,401 · US $368,697 | $157,231#54 of 1,187 | $223,261 | $325,401 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rentZillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,583/mo · US $1,948/mo | $1,163/mo#80 of 1,115 | — | $1,583/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $280,200 | $170,000#139 of 1,309 | — | $280,200 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,138/mo | $1,006/mo#221 of 1,309 | — | $1,138/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.7x | 3.2x#263 of 1,309 | — | 3.7x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 19.3% | 22.4%#718 of 1,309 | — | 19.3% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Oklahoma is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Ardmore housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Ardmore is in the Ardmore, OK metro.
Oklahoma housing market →Is Ardmore safe?
Ardmore recorded 1,050 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 3.2 times the US rate of 328 and 2.6 times Oklahoma's 408. That ranks #1045 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #143 of 146 towns, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Ardmore Police Department. Property crime runs 2,473 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
| Measure | Ardmore | OklahomaOK | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 220 · US 328 | 1,050#1045 of 1,085 | 408 | 220 | 328 |
| Property crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 1,379 · US 1,548 | 2,473#856 of 1,085 | 1,814 | 1,379 | 1,548 |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Oklahoma is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. City rates come from each police agency's report to the FBI and are not strictly comparable across agencies.
What do people earn in Ardmore?
The median household in Ardmore earns $53,900, 35% below the US figure of $83,163 and 19% below Oklahoma ($66,148). Unemployment is 4.5% (US 4.3%). 17.4% of residents live below the poverty line. The population fell 0.5% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
| Measure | Ardmore | OklahomaOK | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $73,239 · US $83,163 | $53,900#1171 of 1,312 | $66,148 | $73,239 | $83,163 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.3% · US 4.3% | 4.5%#705 of 1,058 | 3.4% | 3.3% | 4.3% |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.4% | 17.4%#1006 of 1,312 | — | 11.4% | — |
| Population growth, one yearCensus population estimates · rank 1 = fastestSimilar-size 0% · US +0.5% | -0.5%#952 of 1,132 | +0.6% | 0% | +0.5% |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Oklahoma is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Ardmore?
The median resident of Ardmore is 36.3 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 21.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #1134 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 54.5% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Ardmore | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 38.6 | 36.3 | 38.6 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 29.2% | 21.3%#1134 of 1,312 | 29.2% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 65.1% | 54.5% | 65.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Ardmore's schools and health?
Ardmore's 10 public schools graduate 88.8% of students in four years (Oklahoma 80%), with 19.5 students per teacher and $11,042 spent per pupil. 40.2% of adults are obese and 15.1% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 34.5% and 10.7%.
| Measure | Ardmore | OklahomaOK | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rateDepartment of Education EDFacts · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 87% | 88.8%#496 of 1,063 | 80% | 87% | — |
| Students per teacherNCES Common Core of Data · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 14.1 | 19.5#924 of 1,188 | — | 14.1 | — |
| Spending per pupilNCES school finance survey · rank 1 = mostSimilar-size $14,825 | $11,042#1059 of 1,188 | — | $14,825 | — |
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 34.5% | 40.2%#1133 of 1,311 | — | 34.5% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.7% | 15.1%#1168 of 1,311 | — | 10.7% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.8% | 18.3%#915 of 1,311 | — | 16.8% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 8.6% | 12.1%#881 of 1,311 | — | 8.6% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Oklahoma is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. 4,202 students are enrolled in Ardmore's public schools.
What are the commute and weather like in Ardmore?
The average commute in Ardmore is 16.8 minutes (Oklahoma 22.7); 0.9% of workers take transit and 4.2% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Ardmore scores 9.3 of 20 (below average walkable), #777 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 83.2°F and winters 45.1°F, with 38 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Ardmore | OklahomaOK | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 20.4 min | 16.8 min#126 of 1,312 | 22.7 min | 20.4 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4.8% | 3.9%#370 of 1,312 | 5.1% | 4.8% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 75% | 78.1% | 76.8% | 75% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.3% | 0.9% | 0.3% | 0.3% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 2% | 1.7% | 1.8% | 2% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0% | 0.4% | 0.2% | 0% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 9.5% | 4.2% | 8.9% | 9.5% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 8.8 | 9.3#777 of 1,312 | — | 8.8 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Oklahoma is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 53.7 | 31.5 | 1.8 |
| Feb | 58.7 | 36.5 | 2.2 |
| Mar | 66.8 | 44.9 | 2.8 |
| Apr | 75 | 53.5 | 3.3 |
| May | 82.1 | 62.2 | 5.7 |
| Jun | 89.8 | 70.8 | 4.6 |
| Jul | 95.3 | 74.5 | 2.5 |
| Aug | 95 | 74 | 2.7 |
| Sep | 87 | 66.8 | 3.6 |
| Oct | 77.2 | 54.5 | 3.9 |
| Nov | 65.2 | 43.3 | 2.4 |
| Dec | 55.4 | 34.6 | 2.6 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Ardmore.
| Measure | Ardmore | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 47.7°F | 64.5°F | 47.7°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 69.6°F | 83.2°F | 69.6°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 26.8°F | 45.1°F | 26.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 36.5 in | 38 in | 36.5 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Ardmore.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Ardmore?
Carter County's air had a median air quality index of 32, and 82% of measured days were rated good; 1 day was unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Carter County's biggest natural hazard losses in hail, ice storm, and tornado, with expected yearly losses of 0.16% of building value, higher than 58% of US counties.
| Measure | Ardmore | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 38 | 32#85 of 1,138 | 38 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 1 | 1#309 of 1,138 | 1 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.14% | 0.16%#776 of 1,312 | 0.14% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Carter County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Carter County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Hail | 0.02% | 95% of counties |
| Ice storm | 0.0086% | 92% of counties |
| Tornado | 0.022% | 90% of counties |
| Strong wind | 0.0074% | 86% of counties |
| Wildfire | 0.0069% | 81% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.0038% | 59% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.076% | 44% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Ardmore compare with similar-size cities?
Ardmore is one of 234 places under 25,000 people we track and ranks #218 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 24,877.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ardmore, OKPop. 24,877 | #1224 | 44.0 | $53,900 | $1,006/mo | 1,050 | 16.8 min |
| Hastings, NEPop. 25,008 | #602 | 56.7 | $64,048 | $858/mo | 239 | 13.8 min |
| Newport, RIPop. 24,874 | #275 | 62.7 | $86,313 | $1,698/mo | 194 | 18.9 min |
| Fort Dodge, IAPop. 24,827 | #999 | 50.1 | $60,649 | $785/mo | 940 | 19 min |
| Terrytown, LAPop. 24,726 | #1304 | 36.0 | $51,718 | $1,135/mo | no data | 27.1 min |
| Middletown, DEPop. 24,661 | #198 | 64.5 | $112,831 | $1,583/mo | 186 | 30 min |
| Auburn, MEPop. 24,602 | #586 | 56.9 | $66,647 | $1,041/mo | 232 | 21.7 min |
| Ridgeland, MSPop. 24,587 | #844 | 52.6 | $66,038 | $1,336/mo | 320 | 21.1 min |
| Gardner, KSPop. 24,526 | #192 | 64.8 | $96,818 | $1,306/mo | 185 | 22.9 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Ardmore compare with the rest of Oklahoma?
Ardmore ranks #18 of the 20 Oklahoma cities we track, with a score of 44 against Oklahoma's statewide 43. Its households earn 19% below the Oklahoma median. Violent crime is 2.6 times the statewide rate. Homes are 30% below the typical Oklahoma home.
| City | Rank in OK | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bixby, OKPop. 30,155 | #1 | 66.9 | $104,404 | $1,393/mo | 80 |
| Jenks, OKPop. 27,102 | #2 | 64.9 | $111,004 | $1,602/mo | 99 |
| Edmond, OKPop. 96,825 | #3 | 63.7 | $103,183 | $1,344/mo | 139 |
| Owasso, OKPop. 40,151 | #4 | 60.8 | $79,036 | $1,270/mo | 123 |
| Broken Arrow, OKPop. 118,180 | #5 | 60.5 | $86,765 | $1,320/mo | 198 |
| Yukon, OKPop. 25,529 | #6 | 58.0 | $75,273 | $1,274/mo | 293 |
| Moore, OKPop. 63,420 | #7 | 56.6 | $80,420 | $1,340/mo | 230 |
| Norman, OKPop. 129,672 | #8 | 55.3 | $67,704 | $1,090/mo | 243 |
| Stillwater, OKPop. 49,269 | #9 | 53.3 | $43,700 | $947/mo | 202 |
| Oklahoma City, OKPop. 697,125 | #10 | 51.1 | $68,656 | $1,130/mo | 681 |
| Midwest City, OKPop. 58,297 | #11 | 51.1 | $57,520 | $1,091/mo | 345 |
| Bartlesville, OKPop. 37,878 | #12 | 50.1 | $58,869 | $916/mo | 352 |
| Enid, OKPop. 50,653 | #13 | 49.8 | $62,125 | $914/mo | 572 |
| Shawnee, OKPop. 31,671 | #14 | 49.1 | $55,815 | $936/mo | 483 |
| Ponca City, OKPop. 24,326 | #15 | 48.4 | $55,941 | $850/mo | 500 |
| Tulsa, OKPop. 413,794 | #16 | 47.3 | $59,838 | $1,052/mo | 833 |
| Duncan, OKPop. 22,958 | #17 | 45.5 | $58,054 | $896/mo | 356 |
| Ardmore, OKPop. 24,877 | #18 | 44.0 | $53,900 | $1,006/mo | 1,050 |
| Lawton, OKPop. 90,595 | #19 | 42.7 | $54,433 | $967/mo | 769 |
| Muskogee, OKPop. 36,758 | #20 | 39.6 | $50,213 | $858/mo | 846 |
All 20 Oklahoma cities we track, by overall score. Oklahoma statewide: median income $66,148, violent crime 407.7 per 100,000.
How is Ardmore's score calculated?
Ardmore scores 44 out of 100, #1224 of 1,312 (grade D, which follows rank). It is scored on the 10 of 11 categories with local data; outdoor access is left out rather than filled with Oklahoma's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data · 16% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Ardmore. Similar-size median 41.9.
40.6 - SafetyCity data · 13% of score
Violent and property crime per 100,000 residents, as reported to the FBI by Ardmore's police agency. Similar-size median 81.4.
25.6 - HealthCity data · 13% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Ardmore. Similar-size median 56.5.
36.3 - EducationCity data · 13% of score
Graduation rate, students per teacher and spending per pupil in Ardmore's public schools. Similar-size median 62.6.
45.9 - AffordabilityCity data · 11% of score
Ardmore's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 74.8.
88.0 - Household financesCity data · 9% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Ardmore. Similar-size median 50.8.
31.6 - GrowthCity data · 7% of score
Population growth and unemployment in Ardmore. Similar-size median 35.2.
34.4 - TransportationCity data · 7% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Ardmore. Similar-size median 48.3.
45.2 - WalkabilityCity data · 7% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Ardmore's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 41.1.
43.7 - EnvironmentCounty data · 4% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 59.2.
59.1 - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Ardmore's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 234 places under 25,000 people we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Ardmore has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Ardmore
Is Ardmore, OK a good place to live?
Ardmore ranks #1224 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #218 of 234 towns and #18 of 20 in Oklahoma. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low living costs (83.6, #2 of 230) and affordable homes ($170,000, #41 of 231), and trails on high violent crime (1,050 per 100,000, #143 of 146) and high unemployment (4.5%, #61 of 67).
What is the cost of living in Ardmore?
Ardmore's cost of living index is 83.6, 16% below the US level of 100 and #7 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,006/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $157,231, 30% below the typical Oklahoma home ($223,261).
What is the crime rate in Ardmore?
Ardmore recorded 1,050 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 3.2 times the US rate of 328 and 2.6 times Oklahoma's 408. That ranks #1045 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #143 of 146 towns, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Ardmore Police Department. Property crime runs 2,473 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
What is the median household income in Ardmore?
The median household in Ardmore earns $53,900, 35% below the US figure of $83,163 and 19% below Oklahoma ($66,148). Unemployment is 4.5% (US 4.3%). 17.4% of residents live below the poverty line. The population fell 0.5% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
How much is rent in Ardmore?
Median rent in Ardmore is $1,006/mo (Census), #221 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). The typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $1,163/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 22.4% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Ardmore?
The typical home value in Ardmore is $157,231, down 0.4% in a year, against $223,261 for Oklahoma and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $170,000.
How are the public schools in Ardmore?
Ardmore's 10 public schools graduate 88.8% of students in four years (Oklahoma 80%), with 19.5 students per teacher and $11,042 spent per pupil.
How long is the commute in Ardmore?
The average commute is 16.8 minutes, #126 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 22.7 minutes across Oklahoma. 3.9% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Ardmore?
Ardmore averages 64.5°F over the year, 83.2°F in summer and 45.1°F in winter, with 38 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Ardmore walkable?
Ardmore scores 9.3 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (below average walkable), #777 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Ardmore at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Carter County's biggest natural hazard losses in hail, ice storm, and tornado, with expected yearly losses of 0.16% of building value, higher than 58% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Ardmore?
Carter County's air had a median air quality index of 32, and 82% of measured days were rated good; 1 day was unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles.
Who lives in Ardmore?
Ardmore has 24,877 residents. The median resident of Ardmore is 36.3 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 21.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #1134 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 54.5% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Ardmore compare with the rest of Oklahoma?
Ardmore ranks #18 of the 20 Oklahoma cities we track, with a score of 44 against Oklahoma's statewide 43. Its households earn 19% below the Oklahoma median. Violent crime is 2.6 times the statewide rate. Homes are 30% below the typical Oklahoma home.
What cities are similar in size to Ardmore?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Ardmore's population of 24,877 are Hastings, NE (#602 overall), Newport, RI (#275 overall), Fort Dodge, IA (#999 overall), Terrytown, LA (#1304 overall), and Middletown, DE (#198 overall). Ardmore is #1224.