Oklahoma City wins overall by ~5% (COL index)
Cost of living: Oklahoma City vs Columbus (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Oklahoma City buys roughly what $63,488 does in Columbus (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$1,343/yr
Favoring Oklahoma City for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $112/mo in Oklahoma City, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Oklahoma City Oklahoma | Columbus Ohio | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $900Better | $1,000 | Oklahoma wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Oklahoma |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,100Wins | $1,250 | Oklahoma wins +$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Oklahoma |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,400Wins | $1,650 | Oklahoma wins +$250/mo | $3,000/yr saves in Oklahoma |
| Median home price | $225KWins | $270K | Oklahoma wins +$45K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 93Better | 95 | Oklahoma wins +2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Better | $12 | Oklahoma wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $48Better | $50 | Oklahoma wins +$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $50Wins | $62 | Oklahoma wins +$12/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $2.95Better | $3.10 | Oklahoma wins +$0.15 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $155 | $135Wins | Columbus wins −$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Columbus |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $175 | $155Better | Columbus wins −$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Columbus |
| Internet/mo | $55Better | $60 | Oklahoma wins +$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $54K | $57KBetter | Columbus wins +$3K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.8% | 3.0%Wins | Columbus wins -1.8 pp | $1,080/yr saves in Columbus |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.6% | 7.8%Better | Columbus wins -0.8 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Better | $14.00 | Oklahoma wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $30Wins | $35 | Oklahoma wins +$5/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Better | $5.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 86Better | 91 | Oklahoma wins +5 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 27 | 37Wins | Columbus wins +10 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$1,080/yr tax difference into cash back
Oklahoma City fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Oklahoma City.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Oklahoma City cheaper than Columbus?
Yes. Oklahoma City is 5% cheaper than Columbus based on overall cost of living indices (86 vs 91, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Oklahoma City vs Columbus?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Oklahoma City is $1,100/month and in Columbus is $1,250/month. Oklahoma City is cheaper by 12%.
How much do I need to earn in Columbus to match a $75,000 salary in Oklahoma City?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $79,360/year in Columbus to match a $75,000 salary in Oklahoma City. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Oklahoma City or Columbus?
Columbus has the lower state income tax rate at 3% vs 4.8%. The difference is 1.8 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Oklahoma City to Columbus?
It depends on your priorities. Oklahoma City offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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