| Index | Tahlequah | Oklahoma | National |
| Cost of living | 89 | 88 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 96 | 100 |
| Health care | 96 | 95 | 100 |
| Housing | 76 | 70 | 100 |
| Transportation | 94 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 91 | 94 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 92 | 93 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Tahlequah? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Tahlequah stands at 89, making it 11% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 6 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Tahlequah. The results indicated that 33% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 67% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.
Is Tahlequah an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Tahlequah is 22.8% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 27.6% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Tahlequah has a median household income of $54,861, which is 32.5% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Tahlequah, the transportation index is 5.6% lower than the national average.
Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Tahlequah, the groceries index is 4.4% lower than the national average.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Tahlequah, the utilities index stands at 2.6% lower than the national average.
The Tahlequah 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 index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $91,552 | $7,629 | $2,136 | $2,747 |
| Renters | $31,576 | $2,631 | $737 | $947 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Oklahoma | 4.5% | 11% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Oklahoma | 0.25% | 4.75% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Proctor, OK | 392 | 93 | 6.7% |
| Shady Grove CDP (McIntosh County), OK | 219 | 76 | 23.6% |
| Hulbert, OK | 569 | 80 | 20.0% |
| Dry Creek, OK | 156 | 81 | 19.4% |
| Gideon, OK | 360 | 82 | 18.4% |
| Tahlequah, OK | 17,253 | 89 | 10.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Southbridge Town, MA | 17,257 | 116 | 15.9% |
| Waterville, ME | 17,244 | 94 | 6.2% |
| Mount Vernon, OH | 17,264 | 88 | 11.8% |
| Easton, MD | 17,240 | 118 | 17.7% |
| Knightdale, NC | 17,266 | 109 | 8.6% |
| Tahlequah, OK | 17,253 | 89 | 10.8% |
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