Tulsa vs Spokane for Remote Workers (2026)
saved per month in Tulsa
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household โ we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$1,438/yr
Favoring Tulsa for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $120/mo in Tulsa, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Complete the Picture
While youโre comparing โ donโt leave money on the table.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while rates are high
Even $120/mo extra earns meaningfully at 4โ5% APY vs near-zero in checking.
Travel + remote rewards
Remote workers who travel earn 2โ5ร on every work trip
A no-fee travel card in Tulsa turns client visits into free flights.
Home + auto bundle
New state โ compare rates before you sign
Moving to Tulsa resets your insurance profile. Bundling home + auto often saves 15โ25%.
Your biggest money opportunities based on this comparison.
Tax savings
Spokane saves ~$480/mo in state taxes
Put that extra take-home pay in a high-yield account โ $480/mo at 4.8% APY earns $276/yr working for you.
Remote COL savings
Tulsa saves ~$5,825/mo vs San Francisco
Put that COL gap in a high-yield savings account โ at 4โ5% APY it compounds significantly.
COL advantage
Tulsa is ~11% cheaper โ more left to invest
Location freedom is a wealth multiplier. Compare brokers and robo-advisors to put the savings to work.
Your Location Arbitrage Playbook
Remote work is a wealth multiplier โ but only if you set up the financial side correctly. Here's where to start.
High-Yield Savings
Put your $5,825/mo COL savings to work
At 4.8% APY, that's $3,355/yr in interest โ not sitting in a checking account earning nothing.
Investing
Invest your $480/mo tax savings
$480/mo invested for 10 years at 8% avg return = $83,443. Compare brokers and robo-advisors.
Rewards Card
Earn 2โ5% back on every remote work expense
Internet, software subscriptions, home office gear, coworking memberships โ the right card turns these into real rewards.
Remote work cost breakdown
| Metric | Tulsa Oklahoma | Spokane Washington | Your impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL index | 81Better | 91 | โ |
| State income tax | 4.8% | None (0%)Better | $3,600/yr saves in Spokane |
| 1BR rent / mo | $1,050Better | $1,400 | $4,200/yr saves in Tulsa |
| Internet / mo | $58Better | $62 | โ |
| Walk score | 28 | 46Better | โ |
| Utilities / mo | $172 | $115Better | $684/yr saves in Spokane |
| Sales tax | 8.9%Better | 9% | โ |
| Savings vs SF / mo | +$5,825Better | +$5,309 | โ |
Frequently asked questions
Is Tulsa or Spokane better for remote workers?
For remote workers, Tulsa edges ahead on overall cost of living, internet costs, and taxes. The no-state-income-tax advantage in Spokane is particularly valuable for remote workers with high salaries. The best choice depends on your priorities โ cost vs walkability vs community.
How much money can I save working remotely in Tulsa vs staying in San Francisco?
If you earn $120K remotely and relocate from San Francisco (COL index 194) to Tulsa (COL index 81), you'd save approximately $5,825/month on equivalent purchasing power โ or about $69,900/year. This doesn't account for potential salary adjustments.
What is internet service like in Tulsa vs Spokane?
Median monthly internet costs are $58 in Tulsa and $62 in Spokane. Both cities have competitive broadband options suitable for remote work, including gigabit fiber in most areas.
Can I negotiate a remote salary if I move from a high-cost city to Tulsa or Spokane?
Many employers now use location-based pay. Moving from a top-tier city to Tulsa could trigger a salary adjustment. Even at 85% of a $150K SF salary ($127.5K), the lower COL in Tulsa or Spokane typically means significantly higher purchasing power and take-home after local taxes.
Which city has better walkability for remote workers who don't need to commute?
Spokane has a higher walk score (46 vs 28), meaning more errands, coffee shops, and restaurants are reachable on foot โ a big quality-of-life factor when you're home all day. Walk scores above 70 are considered "very walkable."
$100K in Tulsa has the same purchasing power as $112K in Spokane
SF savings estimate based on COL index vs San Francisco (194). Actual savings depend on lifestyle and salary adjustments. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation ยท Q1 2026