Tulsa wins overall by ~6% (COL index)
Cost of living: Tulsa vs Oklahoma City (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Tulsa buys roughly what $63,704 does in Oklahoma City (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
+$1,065/yr
Favoring Tulsa for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $89/mo in Tulsa, 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 | Tulsa Oklahoma | Oklahoma City Oklahoma | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $850Better | $900 | Tulsa wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Tulsa |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,050Better | $1,100 | Tulsa wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Tulsa |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,400Better | $1,400 | — | — |
| Median home price | $215KBetter | $225K | Tulsa wins +$10K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 92Better | 93 | Tulsa wins +1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Better | $11 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $46Better | $48 | Tulsa wins +$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $48Better | $50 | Tulsa wins +$2/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $2.98 | $2.95Better | Oklahoma wins −$0.03 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $148Better | $155 | Tulsa wins +$7/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $172Better | $175 | Tulsa wins +$3/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $58 | $55Better | Oklahoma wins −$3/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $53K | $54KBetter | Oklahoma wins +$1K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.8%Better | 4.8% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.9% | 8.6%Better | Oklahoma wins -0.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Better | $13.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $30Better | $30 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Better | $5.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 81Better | 86 | Tulsa wins +5 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 28Better | 27 | Tulsa wins -1 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
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
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Tulsa cheaper than Oklahoma City?
Yes. Tulsa is 6% cheaper than Oklahoma City based on overall cost of living indices (81 vs 86, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Tulsa vs Oklahoma City?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Tulsa is $1,050/month and in Oklahoma City is $1,100/month. Tulsa is cheaper by 5%.
How much do I need to earn in Oklahoma City to match a $75,000 salary in Tulsa?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $79,630/year in Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City has the lower state income tax rate at 4.8% vs 4.8%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Tulsa to Oklahoma City?
It depends on your priorities. Tulsa 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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