A+
15%
Overall NAT. AVG.
10%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
32%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Lawton Oklahoma National
Cost of living8586100
Goods & Services9091100
Groceries9594100
Health care9793100
Housing6869100
Transportation9493100
Utilities9898100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Lawton, OK

The cost of living in Lawton affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Lawton is 85, which is 15% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Lawton?

Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 12 residents in Lawton to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 33% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 67% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.

Is Lawton Affordable?

Is Lawton affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Lawton, the median home price is 39.9% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 14.6% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Lawton boasting a median household income of $47,690, 13.8% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Lawton?

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Lawton, the groceries index is 5.4% lower than the national average.

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Lawton, the transportation index is 6.5% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Lawton, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Lawton is 1% lower than the Oklahoma average
  • The cost of living in Lawton is 15% lower than the national average
  • Lawton housing is 32% lower than the national average
  • Oklahoma general sales tax is 12% lower than the national average
  • Oklahoma state income tax is 90% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Lawton

See all the best places to live around Lawton

Compare Lawton, OK Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$66,841$5,570$1,560$2,005
      Renters$35,943$2,995$839$1,078
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Lawton, OK, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Lawton, the median monthly income is $66,841 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,560 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $35,943, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $839 on monthly rental expenses.

      Oklahoma Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Oklahoma 4.5% 11%

      Oklahoma Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Oklahoma 0.25% 4.75%

      Goods & Services

      Item Lawton National avg. Difference
      Haircut $18.44$24.2624.0%
      Beauty Salon $40.04$45.5612.1%
      Toothpaste $3.53$3.704.6%
      Shampoo $1.24$1.283.3%
      Movie $11.19$12.137.7%
      Bowling $16.67$18.007.4%

      Groceries

      Item Lawton National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.10$5.844.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.6%
      Milk $4.54$4.672.8%
      Potatoes $4.93$4.930.1%
      Pizza $12.10$12.090.1%
      Beer $9.83$10.415.6%

      Health Care

      Item Lawton National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $119.30$125.685.1%
      Doctor $100.35$135.7826.1%
      Dentist $102.46$113.299.6%
      Ibuprofen $10.38$10.652.6%
      Lipitor $511.35$468.609.1%

      Housing

      Item Lawton National avg. Difference
      Home Price $111,000.00$184,700.0039.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,086.56$2,346.6911.1%
      Apartment Rent $810.00$949.0014.6%

      Transportation

      Item Lawton National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.10$3.4610.5%
      Tire Balancing $62.19$59.923.8%

      Utilities

      Item Lawton National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $182.99$193.995.7%
      Phone $193.02$192.250.4%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Sterling, OK6808020.3%
      Geronimo, OK1,1918218.2%
      Fletcher, OK9868415.8%
      Chattanooga, OK4608415.8%
      Cache, OK2,8438712.9%
      Lawton, OK93,5358514.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Fishers, IN93,48811211.8%
      Arden-Arcade, CA93,71913332.9%
      Yakima, WA93,8291011.2%
      Edmond, OK93,1011065.5%
      Livonia, MI93,9701044.0%
      Lawton, OK93,5358514.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.