McAlester, OK vs Stillwater, OK

McAlester is moderately more affordable than Stillwater, with a 11.2% lower cost of living index. McAlester scores 70 compared to 79 for Stillwater, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Stillwater can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in McAlester is $906/month compared to $944/month in Stillwater — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: McAlester is more affordable at $137,500 median vs $230,900.

Median household income in McAlester is $48,044 compared to $42,015 in Stillwater (+14.3%). McAlester offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of McAlester spend roughly 22.6% of their income on rent, less than the 27% in Stillwater.