BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — Broken Arrow leads Tulsa metro in new home construction as housing starts surge 33% in July Broken Arrow topped all Tulsa-area cities in July housing starts, with 82 new homes breaking ground as builders cite schools, infrastructure and affordability as key draws.
That figure represents a 33% increase over the same month last year and comes as national housing starts have slumped under the weight of high construction costs and limited land.
WATCH: Broken leads the way as new home construction surges in the Tulsa metro:
Across the broader Tulsa metro, 367 homes started construction in July, the highest monthly total of 2026. Through the end of July, 1,596 new homes have broken ground across the Tulsa area.
Jesse Powell, president of Concept Builders, said Broken Arrow's appeal comes down to three things: schools, infrastructure and value.
"Having a wonderful school system, great infrastructure, all those things bring people to the suburbs where you can move into a home that brings more value to your dollar," Powell said.
Powell said Broken Arrow offers homes across a wide range of price points, from starter homes in the $250,000 to $300,000 range up to $1 million.
"Building a wide variety of price ranges is important for any city or suburb to have strong economic growth," Powell said.
In his experience, the $500,000 to $800,000 range is currently the strongest-selling segment. Powell said buyers with disposable income are increasingly paying cash for homes in that range, allowing them to sidestep the impact of higher interest rates.
30-year fixed-rate mortgages are currently averaging just over 6.5%.
Despite the strong numbers, Powell acknowledged that challenges remain for buyers — particularly those trying to purchase their first home.
"You still have affordability challenges. You still have higher interest rates," Powell said. "Land and lots are going to be an issue."
Powell said taking a blank piece of property through the full development process to a buildable lot typically takes 1.5 to 2 years, making it difficult to quickly respond to demand. He said Broken Arrow's infrastructure planning gives it an edge over other communities in that process.
"Broken Arrow is ahead of the game. They've always stayed up with the infrastructure demands and done a wonderful job with a quality infrastructure plan," Powell said. "The ability to develop in Broken Arrow makes it a lot easier to develop."
A new survey of more than 3,000 prospective first-time buyers reinforces that reputation. The survey named Broken Arrow one of Oklahoma's three most envied places to buy a first home, alongside Norman and Sand Springs. Thirty percent of respondents said price was the single biggest factor in choosing where to buy, while 27% said they would realistically consider a smaller town or rural area.
The survey found that first-time buyers are also willing to make sacrifices to get into the market. Seventeen percent said they would give up property size, making square footage the most expendable feature. Twelve percent would accept a longer commute, and another 12% would give up easy access to restaurants and entertainment.
Powell said the year-to-date total of nearly 1,600 permits pulled across the Tulsa metro signals something more than a one-month spike.
"New home construction is an economic driver and it's extremely important for economic development," Powell said. "It supports local businesses. It's a strong indicator of our economic viability."
This story was reported on air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all r eporting on all platforms for airness and accuracy.
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