A+
6%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
9%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Oklahoma City Oklahoma National
Cost of living9488100
Groceries9596100
Health care9595100
Housing9170100
Transportation9996100
Utilities9796100
Lifestyle & Entertainment9594100
Household Items9497100
Education & Childcare9293100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Oklahoma City, OK

The cost of living in Oklahoma City affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Oklahoma City is 94, which is 6% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in Oklahoma City is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, household expenses and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Oklahoma City?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 17 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Oklahoma City. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 76% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 24% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Oklahoma City Affordable?

Is Oklahoma City an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Oklahoma City, the median home price is 8.4% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 9.3% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Oklahoma City come in at $83,422, which is 2.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Oklahoma City?

Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Oklahoma City, the groceries index is 5.3% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Oklahoma City, healthcare costs are 4.8% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Oklahoma City cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Oklahoma City is 7% higher than the Oklahoma average
  • The cost of living in Oklahoma City is 6% lower than the national average
  • Oklahoma City housing is 9% lower than the national average
  • Oklahoma general sales tax is 12% lower than the national average
  • Oklahoma state income tax is 90% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Oklahoma City

See all the best places to live around Oklahoma City

Compare Oklahoma City, OK Cost of Living

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      Utilities index
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      Educare index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$110,134$9,178$2,570$3,304
      Renters$56,221$4,685$1,312$1,687
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Oklahoma City is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Oklahoma City has a median income of about $110,134 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $2,570 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $56,221. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,312 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Oklahoma Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Oklahoma 4.5% 11%

      Oklahoma Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Oklahoma 0.25% 4.75%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Valley Brook, OK9387920.6%
      Spencer, OK4,1338119.0%
      Smith Village, OK758118.7%
      Arcadia, OK1398217.8%
      Del City, OK22,5948415.6%
      Oklahoma City, OK671,652945.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Memphis, TN674,455919.1%
      Portland, OR675,30713938.8%
      Las Vegas, NV662,34111817.6%
      Nashville, TN692,02211010.0%
      Detroit, MI692,0448217.6%
      Oklahoma City, OK671,652945.8%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.