Tulsa wins overall by ~15% (COL index)
Cost of living: Tulsa vs Houston (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Tulsa buys roughly what $70,370 does in Houston (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
+$2,275/yr
Favoring Tulsa for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $190/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~80 months and still keep ~$23/mo for dining out.
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 | Tulsa Oklahoma | Houston Texas | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $850Wins | $1,050 | Tulsa wins +$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Tulsa |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,050Wins | $1,350 | Tulsa wins +$300/mo | $3,600/yr saves in Tulsa |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,400Wins | $1,700 | Tulsa wins +$300/mo | $3,600/yr saves in Tulsa |
| Median home price | $215KWins | $280K | Tulsa wins +$65K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 92Better | 94 | Tulsa wins +2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Better | $12 | Tulsa wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $46Better | $50 | Tulsa wins +$4/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $48Wins | $90 | Tulsa wins +$42/mo | $504/yr saves in Tulsa |
| Gas price/gal | $2.98Better | $3.10 | Tulsa wins +$0.12 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $148Wins | $190 | Tulsa wins +$42/mo | $504/yr saves in Tulsa |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $172Better | $175 | Tulsa wins +$3/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $58Better | $65 | Tulsa wins +$7/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $53K | $56KBetter | Houston wins +$3K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.8% | 0.0%Wins | Houston wins -4.8 pp | $2,880/yr saves in Houston |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.9% | 8.3%Better | Houston wins -0.6 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Wins | $15.00 | Tulsa wins +$2.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $30Wins | $35 | Tulsa wins +$5/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Wins | $6.00 | Tulsa wins +$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 81Wins | 95 | Tulsa wins +14 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 28 | 49Wins | Houston wins +21 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$2,880/yr tax difference into cash back
Tulsa 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 Tulsa.
High-yield savings
Park ~$3,600/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
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 Tulsa cheaper than Houston?
Yes. Tulsa is 15% cheaper than Houston based on overall cost of living indices (81 vs 95, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Tulsa vs Houston?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Tulsa is $1,050/month and in Houston is $1,350/month. Tulsa is cheaper by 22%.
How much do I need to earn in Houston to match a $75,000 salary in Tulsa?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $87,963/year in Houston to match a $75,000 salary in Tulsa. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Tulsa or Houston?
Houston has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 4.8%. Houston has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Tulsa to Houston?
It depends on your priorities. Tulsa offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, 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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Salary equivalent: Tulsa ↔ Houston
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