Oklahoma has just under 4 million people, the 28th largest state in the United States.
Like some other relatively rural states, it has a higher than average crime rate, but its number of crimes is also relatively low.
The violent crime rate of 466 per 100,000 residents is the 12th most in the nation, and the 2,875 property crimes per 100,000 are the eighth-worst in the nation.
In 2022, the state had 6.2 homicides per 100,000, the 13th most nationally and just above the national average of 5.1.
Almost a third of the state’s population lives in the cities of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, where most of the crime is committed.
Many rural towns have a very low crime rate.
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10 Safest Cities in Oklahoma
Lone Grove
Lone Grove is a small town of 6,000 on the southern edge of the state and could be considered a suburb of Ardmore.
There were no violent crimes reported in 2021, and eight in 2022.
Seven of those were assaults.
There has not been a murder or rape in three years.
There were 79 property crimes last year.
In 2022, its 1.6 violent crimes per 1000, and 15 property crimes per 1,000, are far below the state average.
Both violent and property crimes were less than half the national average.
Elgin
Elgin is a small town of 3,000 about 40 miles southwest of Oklahoma City, near Interstate 44.
This small town has not had a violent crime in more than three years, which makes it remarkable.
Its property crime rate has increased slightly to 2.1 per 1,000 in 2022.
It was less than one in 1,000 in 2020.
Even so, that rate is still remarkably low for a town of any size.
Its overall crime rate is 93 percent lower than the state rate.
Its cost of living is average for the state.
Guymon
Guymon is the safest city with a population of more than 10,000.
It is a remote town on the Oklahoma panhandle, and there are miles of wheat and pastureland in every direction.
Its overall crime rate of 11.43 per 1000, is the lowest of cities in its size in the state.
Its crime rate is less than half the state average, and its cost of living is also below the state average.
There were 24 violent crimes last year, giving it 219 per 100,000.
There were 149 property crimes and 84 were theft.
Bixby
Bixby is a suburb of Tulsa on the south side and has the lowest crime rate of any city under 30,000 population.
Its violent crime rate has gone down significantly over the last three years.
In 2020 there was less than one per 1,000, and in 2021 there were 1.1 violent crimes per 1,000.
That figure was 1.4 the previous year.
The property crime rate has also been declining, down from 15.2 per 1,000 in 2020, to 12.9 in 2022.
The overall crime rate is 57 percent lower than the state average.
Piedmont
Piedmont is a town of 9,000 on the northwest edge of Oklahoma City.
It is just far enough from the city to have a country feel, and close enough to enjoy the amenities.
For three consecutive years, it has had a violent crime rate of less than one per 1,000 residents, which is far below the state and national figures.
Its property crime rate has been around five per 1,000 in the last two years, which is also exceptionally low even with the rate of half that in 2020.
Hinton
Hinton is a rural town of 3,000 about 50 miles west of Oklahoma City in a farming country.
The town has had no violent crimes reported in 2020, and less than one per 1,000 for the two previous years.
Its property crime rate of 5.9 per 1000 is nearly half of what it was in 2020 when it was at 11.1.
Hinton also has a great livability score.
Its overall crime rate is 81 percent below the state average.
The cost of living is five percent lower real estate is 14 percent below the state average.
Blanchard
Blanchard is a suburb of Oklahoma City on the southwest side and has 8,000 residents.
It had only one violent crime in 2021 and has had less than once per 1,000 people for each of the last three years.
Its property crime rate is well below the state average at about 10 per 1,000 people.
That has gone up and down in recent years but even then it is not very high.
It does have a higher cost of living, but the overall crime rate is less than half the state average.
Alva
Alva is a town of 6,000 on the northern edge of the state in a very rural area.
The violent crime rate was less than one per 1,000 in 2022 and was at one per 1,000 the previous two years.
Property crime was at 10.1 per 1,000 in 2022, which was higher than the previous year, but about the same as in 2020.
That too is well below the state average.
It has a great livability score, with a cost of living below the state average, and an overall crime rate less than half the state average.
Jenks
Jenks is a city of 24,000 on the south side of Tulsa and is essentially part of the greater city.
It has a surprisingly low overall crime rate at 14.14 per 1,000 in an urban environment.
Its violent crime rate of 1.1 per 1,000 has remained constant for four years.
Its property crime rate has been declining.
It was at 10.6 per 1,000 in 2022 and was 13.1 in 2020.
The cost of living and real estate is higher in Jenks, but the crime rate is less than half the state average.
Cordell
Cordell is a small town of about 3,000 on the western side of the state in a very isolated rural area surrounded by farms.
Cordell has had less than one violent crime per 1,000 people for the last three years, though it did increase slightly in 2022.
The property crime rate has been declining.
It was at 10.3 per 1,000 in 2022, down from 15 in 2020.
It has a cost of living that is below the state average, and real estate prices are 30 percent below the state average.
Five Safety Tips for Traveling in Oklahoma
- Do not overshare on social media. It is not good to let people know you are away from home, and it is not a good idea to keep the general public informed of your whereabouts. If someone was trying to do you harm, this would give them additional information and make it easier.
- Do not look like a tourist. Avoid flashing your expensive electronics or jewelry, and keep your cash out of sight. Always act like you know where you are and where you are going. Do not carry around big maps, and dress like people in the area dress. It is not a good idea to draw attention.
- Stay in safe areas. In the big cities like Oklahoma City, or Tulsa, do not go too far off the beaten path, and do not go out at night alone. It can get dangerous at night, so avoid dark places especially if you are not familiar with the area. Tourist areas are safe any time of day, but be aware of areas that are not.
- Keep your family informed. Let your friends and family know where you are, where you are going and when you will return. This is different than broadcasting this information on social media. Someone needs to know where you are so they know to come looking if you don’t show up in a reasonable amount of time.
- Keep up with your car. Especially if you will be traveling in rural areas, keep your car in great condition. Check tires, fluid levels, wiper blades, and such before you head out each day. Getting stranded in a rural area can be difficult, and in some rural areas, there is no phone signal.
Oklahoma Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Oklahoma Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most dangerous city in Oklahoma?
Shanee, a suburb of Oklahoma City on the east side, has the state’s highest crime rate.
It has five violent crimes per 1,000 and 42 property crimes per 1000 in 2022. Its property crime rate is what made it rank worst.
What city has the most violent crime?
Muskogee, near Tulsa, has 12.1 violent crimes per 1,000 people, and Tulsa itself is a close second at 11.3.
Both are above state and national averages.
Of the 14 cities with more than 30,000 people, Muskogee and Tulsa are 13th and 14th respectively.
What city in Oklahoma has the best livability rating?
Choctaw has a livability rating of 78, which is a great score.
It ranks high for its low cost of living and availability of jobs, and its low crime rate.
The cost of living is blow state and national averages.
The crime rate is 40 percent lower than the national average.
Its per capita income is seven percent higher than the national average.
Choctaw is 15 miles east of Oklahoma City and has 13,000 residents.
It is the oldest chartered town in the state.
While these cities are ranked as safe, it’s okay to remember that safety can vary within the place. Local knowledge plays a vital role in making the most of your experience.
These cities exemplify the commitment to creating safe and inviting environments for residents and travelers alike, making them appealing options in Oklahoma.