What is the cost of living in Poteau, OK?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Poteau has an overall cost of living index of 84, which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Oklahoma, Poteau has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Oklahoma's index of 88.
The standard of living in Poteau ranks as #15 most affordable out of the 74 places we measured in Oklahoma. By definition, that implies Poteau ranks as the #59 most expensive place in the Sooner State.
For more reading on life in Poteau, check out:
Poteau Cost Of Living Vs. Oklahoma
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Poteau. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Poteau is 94.
The Groceries index in Poteau is 95.
The Health index in Poteau is 65.
The Housing index in Poteau is 97.
The Transportation index in Poteau is 89.
The Utilities index in Poteau is 97.
| Living Expense | Poteau | Oklahoma | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 84 | 88 | 100 |
| Services | 94 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 95 | 100 |
| Health | 65 | 69 | 100 |
| Housing | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Transportation | 89 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 97 | 92 | 100 |
Poteau Cost Of Living Compared To Oklahoma Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Oklahoma, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Poteau Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Poteau, OK Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Oklahoma, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Poteau is $186,457.
The Median Rent in Poteau is $853.
The Median Income in Poteau is $50,511.
The Home Value To Income in Poteau is 3.7x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Poteau is 0.2x.
Poteau, OK Costs By Category
Detailed Poteau Services costs vs. Oklahoma
Detailed Poteau Groceries costs vs. Oklahoma
Detailed Poteau Health costs vs. Oklahoma
Detailed Poteau Transportation costs vs. Oklahoma
Poteau SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Poteau
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Poteau. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Fort Smith, AR has a cost of living index of 86, 1.0x Poteau.
Van Buren, AR has a cost of living index of 85, 1.0x Poteau.
Greenwood, AR has a cost of living index of 89, 1.1x Poteau.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Poteau |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith, AR | 89,805 | 86 | 1.0x |
| Van Buren, AR | 23,763 | 85 | 1.0x |
| Greenwood, AR | 9,616 | 89 | 1.1x |
| Sallisaw, OK | 8,605 | 83 | 1.0x |
| Alma, AR | 5,906 | 89 | 1.1x |
| Mena, AR | 5,582 | 83 | 1.0x |








