McAlester, OK vs Shawnee, OK

McAlester, OK and Shawnee, OK have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.4% difference in their overall index. McAlester scores 70 while Shawnee scores 72 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in McAlester is $906/month compared to $912/month in Shawnee — a 1% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: McAlester is more affordable at $137,500 median vs $147,800.

Median household income in McAlester is $48,044 compared to $54,281 in Shawnee (-11.5%). While Shawnee is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of McAlester spend roughly 22.6% of their income on rent, more than the 20.2% in Shawnee.