Poteau is a small town of 8,852 in Oklahoma, with a median household income of $47,782
and a 6.2% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Poteau stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Poteau is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Poteau city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 90.2
Poteau's overall cost of living index is 90.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Poteau costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Poteau, OK
National Avg
Median Home Value
$138,400
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$790
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
59.1%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$47,782
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Poteau's violent crime rate is 294.7 per 100,000 residents
— 22% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
294.7 /100k
Property Crime
2936.4 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Poteau is served primarily by POTEAU.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.1:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Poteau, OK
National Avg
School District
POTEAU
—
Elementary Schools
2
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
15.5%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
79.9%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Poteau sees average highs of 50.5°F in January
and 93.1°F in July,
with 49.1 inches of annual precipitation
and 0.6 inches of snow per year.
Poteau's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Poteau roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $138,400 and median rent is $790/month.
Poteau's violent crime rate is 294.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2936.4 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Poteau are operated by POTEAU.
The district has 2 elementary, 2 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.1:1. 15.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Poteau, OK has a population of 8,852, a median household income of $47,782, and an unemployment rate of 6.2%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Poteau averages 50.5°F in January and 93.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 49.1 inches
with about 0.6 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Poteau, OK is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 74953, 74940.
The population of Poteau, Oklahoma is 8,852 with a median age of 34.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Poteau: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $138,400, median household income $47,782, crime index 102 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Poteau side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
