By John Dobberstein, Editor
Researchers at Consumer Affairs have released their ranking of the best and worst places to live in the South, and Broken Arrow grabbed a very high ranking.
The “Best Places to Live in the South,” report released recently ranked Broken Arrow No. 14 among the 150 cities and 10 southern states. Researchers analyzed the 150 most populous cities in the south based on safety, affordability, quality of life, education and economy.
Broken Arrow ranked highest in safety, affordability and the economy. Its total overall score was 73.53 out of 100. The Oklahoma City suburb of Edmond actually finished seventh in the overall list with a score of 76.12. The Dallas suburbs of Allen, Frisco and Plano were also in the top 10, and McKinney (11th) and Carrollton (13th) finished just ahead of Broken Arrow.
Broken Arrow is “among the safest cities in the South, with a low violent crime rate (2.06 incidents per 1,000 people) and a low property crime rate (13.63 incidents per 1,000 people),” said Consumer Affairs Media Relations Specialist Lauren Jobe in a statement.
“Low housing costs, a strong economy, and a safe community make Broken Arrow a top Southern move,” researchers said.
Jobe also noted the city’s 4.3% unemployement rate is lower than the national average of 5.2%, and only 9% of Broken Arrow residents live below the poverty line, compared to 15% for Oklahoma.
Consumer Affairs also pointed out Broken Arrow residents can own more home for less cost than in many other locations.
Residents spend just 18% percent of the median income on housing expenses — the eighth lowest in the South and well below the recommended 30%.
Other Oklahoma cities of size placing in the ranking were Norman (32nd), Oklahoma City (38th), Lawton (53rd) and Tulsa (71st).
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