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Quality of Life in Durant, OK
A high quality of life with strong walkability, manageable living costs, healthy neighborhood signals, and solid amenity access.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
Cost of Living
31% below national average
The Real Cost of Living in Durant, OK for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $14k | $27k |
| Comfortable | $30k | $44k |
| Luxury | $81k+ | $125k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $104k+ | $161k+ |
101%
The Area Signal
A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.
Hobbies
Explore the areaGroceries
1 within 10 miles
Gas
18 within 10 miles
Hospital
1 within 20 miles
Airport
DFW — Dallas/Fort Worth International
Post Office
USPS — Durant, OK
Critical Amenities
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Durant, Oklahoma, offers a notably affordable quality of life that attracts a mix of working-class families, retirees, and students drawn to Southeastern Oklahoma State University. With a cost of living index of 69—31% below the U.S. average—the area provides significant financial breathing room compared to larger regional hubs like Dallas (roughly 90 miles south) or Oklahoma City (about 100 miles northwest). The population skews younger due to the university presence, yet the city also retains a stable base of long-term residents employed in healthcare, manufacturing, and retail.
Cost of living, housing, and affordability compared to nearby cities
Durant’s housing market is a primary draw for newcomers. The median home value sits at $155,800, less than half the national median of roughly $350,000, while the median rent of $908 is similarly low. This makes homeownership attainable for many households earning median incomes, and renters can often find two-bedroom apartments well under $1,000. Compared to Sherman, Texas (30 minutes south), where median home values exceed $220,000, Durant offers a clear cost advantage. The average commute of 22.4 minutes is slightly longer than the national average of 26 minutes, but still manageable, with most residents driving to jobs within Bryan County or to the Choctaw Casino & Resort complex. Property taxes in Oklahoma are among the lowest in the nation, averaging about 0.9% of assessed value, which further reduces monthly housing costs.
What daily life is like for families, students, and retirees
Daily life in Durant centers on a compact downtown with local eateries, a historic courthouse square, and the sprawling Choctaw Casino & Resort, which provides entertainment, dining, and convention space. The city’s public schools, part of Durant Independent School District, serve roughly 3,500 students and maintain a 15:1 student-teacher ratio, though test scores hover near state averages. Southeastern Oklahoma State University adds a collegiate rhythm, with events like athletic games and cultural performances open to the public. Outdoor amenities include Lake Durant (a 200-acre reservoir) for fishing and boating, plus the nearby Lake Texoma State Park (20 minutes east) for hiking and camping. Healthcare is anchored by the 100-bed AllianceHealth Durant hospital, though specialized care often requires a drive to Sherman or Plano, Texas. Shopping is limited to big-box retailers along US-69 and US-70, with no major malls within 30 miles.
Durant is best suited for those prioritizing low housing costs and a slower pace over urban amenities. Families with young children will appreciate the affordability and short commutes, while retirees on fixed incomes can stretch savings further here than in most of Texas or Oklahoma. Students and university staff benefit from the campus’s economic stability and social opportunities. However, professionals seeking high-end dining, extensive cultural venues, or specialized medical care may find the options limited and should plan for regular trips to Sherman or the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The trade-off is clear: Durant offers financial freedom and a tight-knit community, but at the cost of convenience and variety found in larger cities.
Crime in Durant, OK
Crime rates similar to the national median for U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Durant, Oklahoma, presents a mixed safety profile that requires careful consideration. The city's violent crime rate of 367.5 incidents per 100,000 residents is notably lower than the national average, but its property crime rate of 2,107.6 per 100,000 significantly exceeds both state and national benchmarks. Prospective residents should weigh these figures against the broader context of Bryan County's justice system and the city's proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
Crime in context
Durant's violent crime rate sits roughly 20% below the U.S. average, a positive indicator for personal safety. However, the property crime rate is approximately 40% higher than the national norm, driven largely by theft and vehicle break-ins. Compared to Oklahoma's statewide averages, Durant's property crime rate is elevated, while violent crime aligns closely with the state figure. The city's location along U.S. Highway 75 and Interstate 69, combined with its role as a regional retail hub for southeastern Oklahoma, contributes to transient criminal activity. It is important to note that Bryan County, like much of Oklahoma, operates under a conservative judicial philosophy, which generally prioritizes public safety and victim rights over progressive sentencing reforms. This stands in contrast to the policies seen in many large metro areas, where liberal district attorneys have been associated with higher recidivism and reduced accountability for offenders.
What residents experience
Day-to-day life in Durant involves a heightened awareness of property crime. Residents commonly report incidents of package theft, vehicle break-ins, and occasional burglaries, particularly in areas near the downtown corridor and the Choctaw Casino & Resort complex. Violent crime is less frequent but does occur, with aggravated assault being the most common category. The Durant Police Department maintains a visible presence, and community policing initiatives have been implemented in recent years. However, the city's limited budget for law enforcement means response times can vary, especially in outlying neighborhoods. For families and retirees, the primary concern is securing homes and vehicles, rather than fear of violent confrontation.
Neighborhood-level variation is significant. The area around Southeastern Oklahoma State University and newer subdivisions on the city's west side tend to report lower crime rates, while older neighborhoods near the railroad tracks and the industrial zone east of Highway 69 experience higher property crime. Gated communities and newer apartment complexes often have private security, which further reduces risk. Prospective residents are advised to consult local crime maps and speak with neighbors, as block-by-block differences can be pronounced. Overall, Durant offers a relatively safe environment for those who take standard precautions, but the elevated property crime rate and the city's exposure to regional traffic patterns warrant a cautious approach.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-21T11:46:25.000Z
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