Living in Shawnee

7 Reasons Why Shawnee is the Best Place to Live Near Oklahoma City

April 16, 2025

Thinking of moving to the OKC metro? Don’t overlook Shawnee.
In fact, once you stack it up against places like Edmond, Yukon, Choctaw, or even parts of Oklahoma City, Shawnee just might be the best move you haven’t considered yet.

It’s more than just affordability. It’s the kind of place where you can live well, stay connected, and enjoy the space (and the pace) that makes everyday life better. Here are seven things you should know before making the move to the OKC Metro area:

1. Cost of Living: Real Life Runs Cheaper Here

One of the biggest reasons people make the move to Shawnee is the affordability. Your money simply stretches further here. Whether you’re buying groceries, grabbing lunch, or looking at housing options, it’s a noticeable difference from what you’d pay in places like Edmond, Norman, or even Moore.

Dining out? You’ll find a mix of quick service chains, midscale restaurants, and beloved local spots. For entertainment, our community theatre and Oklahoma Baptist University offer affordable performances, D-II sports, and music events. Life here doesn’t cost a fortune—and you won’t feel like you’re missing out.

We’re part of the Greater Oklahoma City region, but without the same price tag. You get access to the same perks—professional services, big-box stores, and major infrastructure—without the premium pricing. We even have one of the top-performing Lowe’s stores in the state. That says something about how much local investment is happening here.

And when it comes to getting around? No big-city gridlock. Commute times into OKC average around 30 to 45 minutes depending on your destination—and you’re not alone. Over 6,400 Pottawatomie County residents commute into Oklahoma County every day. Whether you’re heading to Tinker Air Force Base, downtown OKC, or anywhere in between, it’s a well-traveled path and part of the daily rhythm of life here.

Need to fly out? OKC Will Rogers International Airport is just under 45 minutes away with nonstop flights to 21 major cities including L.A., Chicago, Atlanta, and New York. Whether it’s for business or a vacation, you’re connected—and most days of the year, the weather’s on your side. Oklahoma averages 350 days of flying weather annually.

And finally, being located near the crossroads of I-35, I-40, and I-44 gives our community amazing access to goods and services. That’s a big reason why our prices stay reasonable. Things get here quickly—whether it’s furniture, freight, or your next Amazon delivery.

2. Finding the Right School Fit in Shawnee

If you’re moving with kids, you want to get the school decision right. My advice? Don’t stop at the screen. Online ratings can be as misleading as a Zestimate. The real insight comes from conversations. Talk to site principals and teachers. Visit campuses.

And when you work with me, I won’t just hand you a list of phone numbers. I’ll make personal introductions and help coordinate tours. I know many Shawnee educators personally—and I’m married to one! Sharon has been on the faculty of Shawnee High School for more than 30 years. Our teachers are collaborative, student-focused, and dedicated to helping kids thrive.

Shawnee offers a variety of educational environments: for example, Shawnee Public Schools, North Rock Creek, Grove, and  also private options like Liberty Academy and Family of Faith. And for career-bound students or adults seeking new skills, Gordon Cooper Technology Center. Their Aviation Maintenance Technology program, one of only five of its kind in the state, is nationally respected and recently partnered with the State of Oklahoma to strengthen the aviation workforce pipeline.

3. Yearly Weather: Yes, We Have All Four Seasons (Sometimes in the Same Week)

Oklahoma weather is, well, a personality. Shawnee sees all four seasons—but not always in predictable order.

  • Spring brings frequent thunderstorms and the occasional tornado outbreak. Severe weather coverage basically takes over local TV, with meteorologists becoming celebrities (some hilariously dramatic). Schools are prepared, and many have safe rooms. Some families opt for storm shelters—and I can connect you with reputable installers if that’s a priority. Sharon and I have lived here for decades without one, and we’re still here to talk about it!

Aerial photo of the Shawnee Splash water park in Downtown Shawnee

  • Summer is hot. Highs in the 90s and 100s happen, but so do concerts, swimming and lake days, and nights out at local breweries for Singo or trivia.
  • Fall is picture-perfect. Cool mornings, fall festivals (I share a map and calendar every year), and lots of chances to be outside.
  • Winter is typically mild, with a few ice or snow events that rarely hang around long.

You’ll quickly learn how to stay weather-aware and find the rhythm of the seasons.

4. Activities & Amenities: Small-Town Feel, Big-Time Options

You don’t have to drive to OKC every weekend to enjoy your life. Shawnee has a strong lineup of things to do, places to go, and ways to connect.

Downtown Shawnee is experiencing a true renaissance, with boutiques, public art, a craft brewery, coffee shops, and locally-owned restaurants. The Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center (known locally as “the Expo”) hosts hundreds of events and trade shows year-round—including the International Finals Youth Rodeo.

The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art features collections from Egypt, Greece, Rome, the Renaissance, and more—plus Native American, African, and Eastern cultural artifacts. They offer free summer admission and excellent kids’ programs. Affordable membership options also get you into other Oklahoma museums for free.

We also have several casinos that attract entertainment and tourism, plus 610 acres of green space and 36 city-maintained parks. I maintain an interactive Google map of Shawnee’s public parks at SoldonShawnee.com.

Shawnee Twin Lakes offers 25 miles of shoreline and room to boat, fish, and camp without fighting crowds. You don’t have to leave town to find fun.

For a list of upcoming events in the area, Visit Shawnee is your best resource!

5. Population Demographics: A Community That Feels Like One

Shawnee’s population sits just above 31,000, and it’s the county seat of Pottawatomie County, home to more than 72,000. We’re a growing community with a wide range of residents: young professionals, families, midlife movers, retirees, and military families from nearby Tinker Air Force Base.

We’re also home to the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, with deep cultural ties that influence art, events, and community life. The Absentee Shawnee, Kickapoo, and Sac and Fox Tribes are also active in our area. That kind of cultural richness adds to the spirit of Shawnee.

It’s easy to feel connected here. People wave. Neighbors help each other. And you don’t have to live here long before you start running into familiar faces.

6. Average Home Prices: Get More for Your Money

This one speaks for itself:

  • Shawnee’s median home price at the end of 2024: $210,000
  • Yukon: $274,900 – 30.9% higher
  • Choctaw: $315,590 – 50.3% higher
  • Edmond: $370,000 – 76.2% higher
  • Oklahoma City: $237,000 – 12.9% higher

Shawnee gives you serious buying power without sacrificing quality of life.

Renters, take note:
According to the 2023 American Community Survey, the median gross rent in Pottawatomie County is $832, compared to $1,020 statewide. That’s nearly $200 less per month—and a major reason why Shawnee continues to attract renters looking for breathing room in their budgets. (See the chart.)

And while we’re a bit farther in miles from OKC, our commute is often smoother than other suburbs—with green space instead of gridlock and the sun at your back both ways. If you’re headed to Tinker, you’re already on the right side of the metro. And that commute? It’s the perfect time to decompress, catch a podcast, or just breathe.

7. Available Homes – Where to Find Them, and Why It Matters

You can browse homes on Zillow or Redfin, and most of those platforms pull from the same MLS feed I use. But that doesn’t mean they show the full picture.

  • Is it already under contract with contingencies?
  • Is the price telling the whole story?
  • Are there private or off-market listings you’re missing?

You can access the MLS from SoldonShawnee.com with up-to-date listings and accurate data. But more importantly, I add valuable context to the published listings.

I tell buyers all the time:

“Let me know if you want to find out what the pictures don’t show.”

Because that’s what makes the difference: local insight, behind-the-scenes access, and real advocacy.

If you’re serious about finding the right home, let’s go beyond the search bar. I’ll help you get strategic, connected, and one step ahead.

Why Shawnee? Because it checks the boxes—and a few you didn’t know to put on your list.
When you compare cost of living, commute quality, sense of community, and available homes, it’s hard to find another spot in the OKC metro that delivers quite like Shawnee.

If you’re relocating, rightsizing, or just rethinking where you want to be, I’d love to help you get to know this place I’m proud to call home. Let’s find what fits your next chapter—and make the move that finally feels right.