salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 16.3 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $28,720 a year. That is $14 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Oklahoma cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Oklahoma. It is number 2 of 75 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in McAlester?
Share of households by yearly income. 13.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in McAlester
| Size | McAlester | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $300 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $726 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $928 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,158 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,145 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is McAlester overall?
Everyday prices in Oklahoma overall are 12% below the U.S. average (index 87.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for McAlester, so the Oklahoma figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in McAlester
Life in McAlester
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in McAlester?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $334 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $151,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $15,160 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in McAlester, OK?
Renting in McAlester costs a median of about $718 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Oklahoma median is $1,069.
How much do I need to make to live in McAlester?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $28,720 a year, or $14 an hour at a full-time job.
Is McAlester cheap or expensive?
McAlester is rated Cheap: rent takes 15.4% of the typical household income of $56,007. It ranks 2nd cheapest of 75 Oklahoma cities we track.
How much are property taxes in McAlester?
The median homeowner in McAlester pays $1,027 a year in property taxes, about 0.68% of the median home value.
Is McAlester more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Oklahoma are 12% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in McAlester?
The median home value in McAlester is $151,600, about 2.7 times the typical yearly household income.
18,111 people live in McAlester. Numbers are typical (middle) values.