Idabel, OK vs McAlester, OK

Idabel is moderately more affordable than McAlester, with a 10.8% lower cost of living index. Idabel scores 63 compared to 70 for McAlester, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of McAlester can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Idabel is $701/month compared to $906/month in McAlester — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Idabel is more affordable at $121,300 median vs $137,500.

Median household income in Idabel is $36,638 compared to $48,044 in McAlester (-23.7%). While McAlester is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Idabel spend roughly 23% of their income on rent, more than the 22.6% in McAlester.