Exceptional News for Oklahoma City Families
Oklahoma City offers the most affordable nursing home care among major U.S. cities while maintaining quality options for careful shoppers.
- • 33% below national median cost ($204/day vs. $305/day)
- • 25% of facilities have 4+ stars (7 facilities)
- • $74,460 annually vs. $131,400 national median
- • Save $56,940 per year compared to national median
Oklahoma City's 28 nursing homes serve a population of over 89,000 seniors aged 65 and older. At just $204/day for semi-private care, Oklahoma City delivers the strongest combination of affordability and accessible quality care among major metro areas.
Over a typical 2.5-year nursing home stay, Oklahoma City families save approximately $142,350 compared to national median costs—enough to preserve substantial retirement assets or leave meaningful inheritances. This affordability transforms long-term care from a financially devastating expense into a manageable cost.
Oklahoma City at a Glance
This guide provides comprehensive, data-driven insights to help Oklahoma City families find quality, affordable nursing home care that preserves family financial security.
Compare All Oklahoma City Nursing Homes
View detailed quality ratings, costs, and inspection reports for all 28 Oklahoma City facilities.
View Oklahoma City Facilities →Understanding Oklahoma City Nursing Home Costs
Oklahoma City's nursing home costs represent the strongest affordability advantage among major U.S. metro areas. This pricing reflects Oklahoma's lower cost of living while maintaining quality healthcare standards.
2025 Oklahoma City Nursing Home Costs
How Oklahoma City Compares: Exceptional Savings
Oklahoma City's $204/day semi-private rate delivers the strongest savings in the nation:
- 33% below the national median ($305/day) — saves $36,865 annually
- 4% below Oklahoma state average ($212/day) — capital city with rural pricing
- 41% below Los Angeles ($347/day) — saves $52,195 annually
- 53% below Philadelphia ($437/day) — saves $85,045 annually
- 43% below San Diego ($360/day) — saves $56,940 annually
- 4% below Austin ($213/day) — saves $3,285 annually
💰 Oklahoma City's Affordability Leadership
At $74,460 annually, Oklahoma City nursing home care costs $56,940 less per year than the national median ($131,400).
Over a typical 2.5-year nursing home stay, Oklahoma City families save approximately $142,350 compared to national median costs.
What $142,350 in savings means:
- • Preserve retirement home for surviving spouse
- • Leave meaningful inheritance to children/grandchildren
- • Fund college education for grandchildren
- • Maintain emergency fund for family
- • Avoid Medicaid spend-down entirely in many cases
Oklahoma City's exceptional affordability means middle-class families can access quality long-term care without depleting life savings or forcing difficult Medicaid planning decisions.
💡 Cost-Saving Tip
Medicare covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing care following a qualifying hospital stay (3+ days). Oklahoma City families save $20,400 in the first 100 days by coordinating facility admission with Medicare coverage windows—money that can extend private-pay periods by months.
Oklahoma City Nursing Home Quality: The Data
Oklahoma City's 2.6 average star rating reflects a balanced quality landscape. With 25% of facilities earning 4+ stars and quality distributed across the rating spectrum, families have solid options when prioritizing higher-rated facilities.
Star Rating Distribution
✓ Quality Selection Strategy
With 7 facilities earning 4+ stars (25% of all facilities), Oklahoma City families have solid quality options at exceptional prices.
Recommended approach: Focus tours on the 7 facilities with 4+ stars unless geographic constraints require considering lower-rated options. The affordability savings give you flexibility to be selective about quality.
What Makes Oklahoma City Unique
Oklahoma City's nursing homes benefit from several distinctive advantages:
- Midwest Values & Community: Oklahoma culture emphasizes family, faith, and community care—values often reflected in nursing home cultures and family visitation patterns.
- Lower Operating Costs: Significantly lower real estate, labor, and operational costs enable facilities to offer care at prices 33% below the national median without sacrificing quality.
- Healthcare Infrastructure: OU Health (University of Oklahoma Medical Center), Integris Health, and SSM Health provide comprehensive medical support including Level 1 trauma care.
- Four-Season Climate: Distinct seasons with mild spring/fall (ideal outdoor activity weather) and manageable summer/winter extremes.
- Growing Senior Focus: With 89,000 seniors age 65+, Oklahoma City has invested in senior services infrastructure while maintaining affordable costs.
Top-Rated Oklahoma City Nursing Homes
These seven facilities earn the highest CMS ratings in Oklahoma City, offering quality care at exceptional prices:
Five-Star Facility
The Health Center at Concordia
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐7707 West Britton Road
30 beds | Five-star CMS rating | Northwest OKC
Small facility size enables personalized care and attention
Four-Star Facilities
Six additional facilities earn four-star ratings, providing excellent quality alternatives:
Epworth Villa Health Services
⭐⭐⭐⭐14901 North Penn Avenue
87 beds | Four-star CMS rating | North OKC
Northwest Nursing Center
⭐⭐⭐⭐2801 Northwest 61st Street
100 beds | Four-star CMS rating | Northwest OKC
North Winds Living Center
⭐⭐⭐⭐3718 North Portland
29 beds | Four-star CMS rating | Central OKC
Smaller facility for personalized care
Ignite Medical Resort OKC, LLC
⭐⭐⭐⭐6312 North Portland
75 beds | Four-star CMS rating | Central OKC
South Park East
⭐⭐⭐⭐225 Southwest 35th Street
47 beds | Four-star CMS rating | South OKC
St. Ann's Skilled Nursing and Therapy
⭐⭐⭐⭐9400 St Ann's Drive
120 beds | Four-star CMS rating | West OKC
Largest four-star facility with comprehensive services
All seven facilities have earned their high ratings through consistent performance across health inspections, staffing levels, and quality measures. When evaluating these facilities, families should still conduct in-person tours, review recent inspection reports, and speak with current residents and families.
See Complete Facility Comparisons
View detailed CMS ratings, inspection histories, and quality measures for all Oklahoma City facilities.
Compare All OKC Facilities →Oklahoma City Neighborhoods: Where to Find Nursing Homes
Oklahoma City's nursing homes are distributed across the metro area, with notable concentrations in the northwest and central corridors:
Northwest Oklahoma City
Facilities: The Health Center at Concordia (5⭐), Northwest Nursing Center (4⭐)
Established residential neighborhoods with easy access to Northwest Expressway and major retail. Proximity to Integris Health Baptist Medical Center. Popular area for families seeking quality facilities in convenient locations.
North Oklahoma City
Facilities: Epworth Villa Health Services (4⭐)
Quieter residential area north of downtown with good highway access via I-35 and I-44. More affordable surrounding neighborhoods for families relocating to be near loved ones.
Central Oklahoma City
Facilities: North Winds Living Center (4⭐), Ignite Medical Resort OKC (4⭐)
Urban core location with proximity to OU Health (University of Oklahoma Medical Center), downtown amenities, and major transportation corridors. Convenient for families living throughout the metro area.
South Oklahoma City
Facilities: South Park East (4⭐)
More affordable area with easy I-35 and I-240 access. Good option for families in Moore, Norman, or southern OKC suburbs. Proximity to Norman Regional Health System.
West Oklahoma City
Facilities: St. Ann's Skilled Nursing and Therapy (4⭐, 120 beds)
Established area near Yukon and Mustang suburbs. Largest four-star facility in Oklahoma City with comprehensive therapy services. Good option for families seeking extensive rehabilitation capabilities.
Oklahoma City's manageable size and highway system make most facilities accessible within 20-30 minutes from anywhere in the metro area. Traffic is significantly lighter than coastal cities, making regular visits more feasible.
How to Pay for Nursing Home Care in Oklahoma City
At $74,460 annually, Oklahoma City's nursing home costs are the most manageable among major cities. Many middle-class families can afford several years of private-pay care before considering Medicaid.
Medicare Coverage
Medicare Part A covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing care following a qualifying 3-day hospital stay:
- Days 1-20: Fully covered ($0 copay)
- Days 21-100: $200/day copay (2025 rate)
- After day 100: No Medicare coverage
Oklahoma City savings: Medicare coverage can save families $20,400 in the first 100 days. At Oklahoma City prices, this savings extends private-pay periods by 3+ additional months.
Oklahoma Medicaid (SoonerCare)
Oklahoma Medicaid (SoonerCare) covers long-term nursing home care for eligible residents:
- Income limit: Must have income below $2,829/month (2025) after medical expenses
- Asset limit: $2,000 for individual, with spousal protections allowing community spouse to retain significantly more
- Look-back period: 60 months (5 years) for asset transfers
- Home exemption: Primary residence is exempt if spouse, disabled child, or certain other relatives live there
- Facility acceptance: Not all Oklahoma City facilities accept Medicaid—verify before applying
⚠️ Oklahoma Medicaid Planning
Oklahoma City's low costs mean many families can afford 3-5 years of private pay using retirement savings, potentially avoiding Medicaid entirely.
If Medicaid planning is needed, Oklahoma has a 60-month look-back period. Consult an elder law attorney before making significant financial gifts or asset transfers.
Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-term care insurance becomes significantly more valuable in Oklahoma City:
- Coverage percentage: Policies paying $150-200/day cover 74-98% of Oklahoma City costs (vs. only 40-60% in expensive cities)
- Extended duration: A policy with 3 years of benefits at $175/day could cover nearly 100% of costs for the entire benefit period
- Elimination period: Typical 30-90 day waiting periods are more affordable at $6,120-18,360 out-of-pocket
VA Benefits
Veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for Aid & Attendance benefits providing up to $2,431/month (2025):
- Covers approximately 40% of Oklahoma City nursing home costs
- Can extend private-pay period by years when combined with other resources
- Not all facilities have VA contracts—verify acceptance
💡 Financial Planning Success Story
Example: Oklahoma City couple with $200,000 in savings and long-term care insurance:
- • Year 1: Medicare (100 days) + LTC insurance = minimal out-of-pocket
- • Year 2-4: LTC insurance covers 80% of costs = $17,900/year from savings
- • Year 5-7: Use remaining savings at $74,460/year = $223,380 total
- • Result: 7 years of care covered while preserving home and most assets
In Philadelphia, the same couple would exhaust savings in under 3 years.
Evaluating Oklahoma City Nursing Homes: What to Look For
With 7 facilities earning 4+ stars, Oklahoma City families can focus tours on quality facilities. Use CMS data to identify candidates, then conduct thorough in-person evaluations.
During Your Tour
Essential Questions to Ask
- ✓ What is the current RN-to-resident ratio on each shift?
- ✓ Do you accept Oklahoma Medicaid (SoonerCare) if needed in the future?
- ✓ How do you handle staff turnover and ensure care continuity?
- ✓ Can I see your most recent state inspection report?
- ✓ What activities and social programs do you offer?
- ✓ Which hospitals do you transfer to for emergencies?
- ✓ How do you communicate with families (daily updates, family portals)?
- ✓ What is your COVID-19 and infection control protocol?
- ✓ Do you have specialized programs (dementia care, hospice partnerships)?
Red Flags
- Unpleasant odors or unclean conditions
- Residents appearing neglected or unattended
- Staff unable to answer basic questions about residents or care
- Reluctance to show areas or provide inspection reports
- Recent serious violations (check Oklahoma State Department of Health reports)
- High staff turnover (ask average tenure of nursing staff)
Green Flags
- Clean, pleasant atmosphere with engaged residents
- Staff interacting warmly with residents by name
- Family members visiting (ask current families about experiences)
- Active use of outdoor spaces and activity programs
- Posted inspection reports and staffing schedules
- Administrator willing to connect you with current resident families
Next Steps: Finding the Right Oklahoma City Nursing Home
Your Action Plan
- 1.Start with the 7 facilities earning 4+ stars unless location requires considering other options
- 2.Review detailed profiles on our comparison page for ratings, size, and location
- 3.Check recent inspection reports (we provide direct CMS links)
- 4.Schedule tours at 3-4 facilities at different times to observe routines
- 5.Verify SoonerCare acceptance if Medicaid may be needed
- 6.Review contracts carefully before signing
Start Comparing Oklahoma City Facilities Now
View detailed ratings, inspection reports, and quality metrics for all 28 Oklahoma City nursing homes.
Compare All Facilities →Additional Resources
Oklahoma City Senior Care Resources
OACAA Area Agency on Aging
Oklahoma Area Community Action Agency provides information, referrals, and advocacy for Oklahoma County seniors.
Phone: (405) 232-0199 | Website: oacaa.org
Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma
Free legal services for low-income seniors, including SoonerCare applications and nursing home issues.
Phone: (405) 521-1302 | Website: legalaidok.org
Oklahoma Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Advocates for nursing home residents' rights and investigates care quality complaints.
Phone: (800) 211-2116 | Serves all Oklahoma City facilities