Is Grove Safe, Pros and cons of living in Grove

Grove, Oklahoma, nestled in Delaware County, offers a unique blend of small-town charm and access to the recreational opportunities of Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees. This community provides a laid-back lifestyle with a growing economy, making it an attractive option for those seeking a change of pace. Residents often describe living here as “Living the Grand Life,” highlighting the area’s appeal for both full-time living and vacationing.

The city is surrounded by natural beauty and provides a variety of outdoor activities, from boating and fishing on the lake to exploring the scenic foothills of the Ozarks. Grove’s mild, four-season climate further enhances its appeal for year-round enjoyment of its natural surroundings. The community is known for its friendly and supportive residents, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere for both new and long-term inhabitants.

Is it Safe to Live in Grove?

Grove’s overall crime rate is reported to be 57% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). However, violent crime rates in Grove are 17% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Property crime rates are 73% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

Your chance of becoming a victim of any crime in Grove is approximately 1 in 30 (as reported by AreaVibes). NeighborhoodScout indicates that the chance of being a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 333, and the chance of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 33. CrimeGrade.org notes that Grove’s violent crime rate is 3.996 per 1,000 residents, and residents generally consider the north part of the city to be the safest.

Housing Costs and Availability

Home Prices

The median listing home price in Grove is $279,900 (as reported by Realtor.com®). Zillow reports the average home value in Grove to be $292,727 as of March 31, 2026, which is up 1.3% over the past year. Redfin indicates the average Grove house price was $413,000 last month, up 30.2% since last year. Realtor.com® also notes that homes in Grove, OK, sold for about 5.04% below the asking price on average in March 2026.

The Grove housing market shows a median listing price of $333.2K, signaling a stable landscape for buyers and sellers (as reported by Housing Market Trends). Year-over-year price momentum for homes sold is -4.80% (as reported by Housing Market Trends). In March 2026, Grove, OK was considered a buyer’s market, meaning the supply of homes was greater than the demand (as reported by Housing Market Trends).

Rental Market

The average rent in Grove, OK, is $1,350 per month as of May 2, 2026 (as reported by Zillow). This reflects a $350 increase month-over-month and a $150 decrease year-over-year. Apartments.com states the average rent in Grove is $520 per month, which is 68% lower than the national average rent of $1,642/month.

For renters, the median monthly income is $45,493, which would result in a maximum of $1,061 to be spent on rental costs, suggesting that rent is generally affordable within the typical guidelines (as reported by Area Vibes). The median gross rent in Grove is $925 per month (as reported by VertexAI). The median rent in Grove, Oklahoma, is typically $841 per month (as reported by StayRentals).

Cost of Living

Grove’s cost of living is 8% lower than the national average (as reported by Area Vibes). Housing costs in Grove are 13% lower than the national average (as reported by Area Vibes). Salary.com indicates that living in Grove is less expensive than the national average, with housing costs being 0.0% higher at $1,200 per month for a single person and $2,200 per month for a family of four.

Food costs in Grove are more affordable than the U.S. average. Transportation costs are also more affordable than the national average. Healthcare costs in Grove are more affordable than the U.S. average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). Overall, Grove’s cost of living is 9% lower than the U.S. national average and 41% lower than Oklahoma’s state average (as reported by Salary.com).

Job Market and Economy

Major Employers

Grove is home to a diverse range of employers. Major employers in the Grove area include Simmons Food Inc., Cherokee Casino – Grove, and the Grove Public School System, which is one of the largest employers in the community (as reported by Grove Area Chamber of Commerce). Other significant employers include Walmart, McDonald’s, FedEx, and Lowe’s Home Improvement (as reported by Indeed.com).

The aerospace industry is also a notable sector in Grove, with companies like Ferra Engineering and Orizon Aerostructures contributing to the local economy (as reported by Grove, OK). These growing businesses provide quality, high-paying jobs for residents and benefit from Grove’s supportive business environment (as reported by Grove, OK).

Salaries and Unemployment

The average salary in Grove, Oklahoma, is approximately $57,987 per year or $28 per hour (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert). Other sources indicate the average yearly salary is around $47,104 (as reported by ReadySetHire). The median household income in Grove was $85,115 in 2024 (as reported by VertexAI).

The unemployment rate in Grove stands at 2.1% (as reported by VertexAI). Oklahoma’s overall unemployment rate was 3.9% in February 2026 (as reported by USAFacts). The percentage of the workforce employed in professional or administrative positions is 80.3%, while 19.7% are in hands-on or service-based jobs (as reported by VertexAI).

Climate and Weather

Grove experiences a climate with hot, muggy, and wet summers, and short, very cold winters. Temperatures typically range from 28°F to 93°F throughout the year, rarely falling below 13°F or exceeding 101°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The hottest month is July, with an average high of 92°F and a low of 71°F.

The cold season lasts from late November to late February, with average daily high temperatures below 57°F. January is the coldest month, with an average low of 28°F and a high of 49°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Annual precipitation averages 48 inches, with the wettest month being May, averaging 12.7 days with significant rainfall (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Education and Schools

School Ratings

Grove, OK, is served by the Grove School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all school districts in Oklahoma based on combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year (as reported by Public School Review). The district’s graduation rate is 89% (as reported by Public School Review).

The top-ranked public schools in Grove include Grove Lower Elementary School, Grove High School, and Grove Middle School (as reported by Public School Review). Grove public schools have an average math proficiency score of 25% and a reading proficiency score of 27%, which aligns with the Oklahoma public school averages (as reported by Public School Review). Grove High School has a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, with 23% of students proficient in math and 40% in reading (as reported by Niche).

Demographics

Population and Diversity

Grove is home to approximately 7,176 residents (as reported by VertexAI). The population has increased by 8.04% since the 2020 census, which recorded a population of 6,954 (as reported by Oklahoma). As of 2024, 100% of Grove residents were U.S. citizens (as reported by Data USA).

The racial makeup of Grove includes a majority of White residents. Specifically, 73.2% of locals are Caucasian, with smaller percentages identifying as Native American, African American, Asian, and multiracial (as reported by VertexAI). The median age in Grove is 50 years (as reported by VertexAI).

Income and Household Data

The median household income in Grove was $58,941 in 2024 (as reported by VertexAI). The poverty rate in Grove stands at 18.06% (as reported by Oklahoma). Grove has 3,248 households, with an average of 2 members per household (as reported by VertexAI).

Households led by residents aged 25 to 44 have a median income of $62,137, while those with someone aged 45 to 64 in charge earn $70,250 overall (as reported by VertexAI). The median income for renters in Grove was $39,459 in 2022 (as reported by VertexAI).