10 Welcoming Towns to Retire in Oklahoma

From the hills and jungly forests that define its eastern part (many people don't know about this) — to the wind-swept prairies ideal for star-gazing and building castles in the sky in the other parts — Oklahoma has features that will delight many retirees. Add to the state’s low cost of living, its four seasons with mild winters, and its yummy range of outdoor adventure opportunities, and one starts to give the Sooner State some serious consideration. Looking for the most welcoming retirement spots in Oklahoma? Stay on the page.

Guthrie

Guthrie boasts a fun-looking downtown with tasty cafes, restored buildings, and locally owned shops. Expect more than 2,000 Victorian-era buildings, most of which have been handsomely preserved and make up the largest historic urban district in Oklahoma. Interstate 35 runs close to the town, remarkably enhancing its accessibility — as is Cimarron River — which provides a delightful range of outdoor adventure opportunities. Moreover, one can swim in Guthrie Lake, step back in time at the Oklahoma Territorial Museum, or have regular afternoon walks at Mineral Wells Park, an underrated pleasure spot ideal for peaceful retreats.

Plus, a retiree does not need to spend three hours on the road to get to a hospital. The highly rated Mercy Hospital Logan County, right in town, was named among the top 20 critical access hospitals in the United States. In July 2024, the median listing home price in Guthrie, was $306,700 (according to realtor.com). Plus, the town’s social scene is not off-beat. Guthrie residents aged 65 and above comprise 20% of the population.

Marlow

Marlow is one town with a homey, endearing feel, a community atmosphere, and safe streets and neighborhoods. Adventure spots include Lake Humphreys, Clear Creek Lake, and Generations Golf Course, often so peaceful and relaxing. While Talley-Walker Hospital is right in town and has been serving residents in the area since the Great Depression Years, the award-winning Duncan Regional Hospital is often an exceptional option.

In addition, retirees do not need to break the bank to purchase a home. The median listing home price in Marlow was $250,000 in July 2024, a fraction of what one would fork out in New England or the West Coast. The social landscape is just as enticing, with residents aged 65 and above comprising over 20% of the population.

Grove

Expect a sparse, suburban feel (hence, enough elbow room), a laid-back, rural-ish atmosphere, and ever-popping shops and restaurants. There is the Neosho River, perfect for boating and fishing, Grand Lake, which boasts over 1,000 miles of shoreline, and several quiet parks, including the one-of-a-kind Lendonwood Gardens, a picturesque botanical park with paved trails, wildlife, and tons of resplendent flowers. Worried about healthcare access? No need. INTEGRIS Grove Hospital, right in town, is a 2024 recipient of the Patient Safety Excellence Award.

In July 2024, the median listing home price in Grove was $384,000, which is a steal, especially considering one is retiring right next to the water. And don’t think you will have no one to share experiences with. Grove residents aged 65 and above comprise almost 25% of the town’s population.

Yukon

If you want to live among incredibly kind and warm-hearted folks, Yukon should be high on your list. Plus, Yukon is calm, family-oriented, and just 15 minutes from Oklahoma City, the state’s commercial and cultural hub. Whether a retiree is keen on shopping venues or excellent hospitals, there will be many options to work with. The highly rated INTEGRIS Canadian Valley Hospital, for instance, is right in town. In the same vein, West Yukon Animal Hospital will attend to your furry friends. Spots to kill time include Chisholm Trail Park, an immaculately landscaped getaway with serene walking trails; the Four Star Fitness - Yukon, North Canadian River, and Lake Overholser, ideal for boating and fishing.

The median listing home price in Yukon was $305,000 in July 2024. Considering this location gives a retiree access to Oklahoma City, recently ranked fifth for Best-Run City in the United States, this price point is a steal. Finally, the town’s median age is 39, a sweet blend between the young and old.

Claremore

One of the best parts about retiring in Claremore is that Tulsa, Oklahoma's second-largest city, is just about 29 miles down the road. This means one is never far from big-city amenities, conveniences, and cultural attractions. There is the Rogers State University UVA, which is a huge deal, especially for those seeking an academic environment. For those who love the outdoors, Claremore has its eponymous lake, a fun spot for paddling and duck hunting, Petersons Lake, Big Lake, and Verdigris River, a tributary of the Arkansas River.

On healthcare access, Claremore hosts both the Hillcrest Hospital Claremore and the Claremore Indian Hospital, whose history goes back more than 90 years. On the financial side, the median listing home price in Claremore was $295,000 in July 2024. And with residents aged 65 and above making up almost 20% of the town’s population, Claremore checks almost every box.

Duncan

Duncan is an awesome family-friendly town with a close-knit community and an endearing, small-town feel. The highlights a retiree will want to know about include Braum's Ice Cream & Dairy Store, a nice movie theatre (Heritage Park Theatre), and the casual and tasty Kochendorfer Brewing Company. Also, the bass-filled Waurika Lake is a short drive from town. Duncan scores particularly big on the quality of healthcare.

Duncan Regional Hospital, founded in 1977, is a 2024 recipient of the Joint Replacement Excellence Award. And it just gets better. In July 2024, for example, the median listing home price in Duncan was just $192,000. Even by Oklahoma standards, this price point is budget-friendly. In addition, Duncan residents aged 65 and above comprise over 20% of the town’s population.

Bixby

History lovers may know about Bixby’s association with the renowned American writer Washington Irving, who, when exploring the area in the 1830s, wrote sympathetically about Native Americans. The landscape, with its wind-swept prairies and grassy plains, also received considerable adulation. Today, Bixby hosts Irving Park, a 32-acre recreational space with an arboretum. There is the Arkansas River, which flows through the town, Posey Creek, and Lake Bixhoma, suitable for swimming.

Regarding healthcare access, Tulsa, about 20 miles from town, is home to several exceptional facilities, including the multiple-award-winning Oklahoma Surgical Hospital. In July 2024, the median listing home price in Bixby was $480,000, which speaks to the demand for houses in the area. Finally, Bixby residents have a median age of 36, meaning one can roll with both the young and the old.

Sulphur

Sulphur is nestled in the Arbuckle Mountains, with several gleaming lakes a heartbeat away. These include the Lake of the Arbuckles, within the spellbinding Chickasaw National Recreation Area; the small but beautiful Veterans Lake, and Lacy Lake. There is Little Niagara Falls as well, whose clear, cool water is perfect for a refreshing dip. The Chickasaw Cultural Center also deserves an honorable mention. It is a fantastic place to learn about the Chickasaw people; their history, journeys, and culture.

Arbuckle Memorial Hospital is also conveniently right in town. The demographics are just as pleasing, with residents aged 65 and above comprising over 18% of the population. Finally, why pay more when the median listing home price in Sulphur is just $219,500?

Bartlesville

Boasting a scenery that can potentially slow down one's biological clock, Bartlesville is a small but vibrant town with a skyline that could rival many towns its size. Features that enhance Bartsville’s retirement appeal include the Oklahoma Wesleyan University, which adds a dash of cultural vibrancy to the town, Caney River, which serves a yummy mix of recreational offerings, the airport — so a retiree can hop on a plane to a far-flung destination on a whim, and the Price Tower Arts Center, a Frank Lloyd Wright's 19-story landmark (the only one of its kind), with tours and an art and design museum.

Need to see a doctor? The Ascension St. John Jane Phillips, which has previously won the Patient Safety Excellence Award, is right in town. The median listing home price in Bartlesville was $224,900 in July 2024. On a different note, Bartlesville residents aged 65 and above encompass 19% of its population.

Elgin

If you don't mind a small, beautiful town where almost everyone knows each other — with lots of tasty restaurants and awesome natural scenery — Elgin should be on your radar. Plus, Elgin, according to Safewise, is the safest city in Oklahoma. Retiring here comes with being close to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, which has ample hiking trails, lakes, and a small mountain range to explore. Once in a while, enjoy a cold one at Rising Eagle Brewery, a fun, casual spot loved for its friendly service.

Alternatively, Harley's is a nice place to enjoy live music and kill time. Lawton, just about 15 minutes down the road, is home to numerous hospitals, including the award-winning Southwestern Medical Center. The median listing home price in Elgin was only $287,000 in July 2024. On the flip side, Elgin residents aged 65 and above comprise 9% of the population.

Retirement is the time to be sipping wine on your outside patio while scanning the landscape and inhaling scenery. It is also the time to mingle with daffodils, swim in lakes, hike curvy trails, catch a glowing sunset, read books, and chase waterfalls. For any of these, you need a warm, welcoming community where you feel part of a big, loving family. Oklahoma has many welcoming towns for retirement.