Cost of Living in Tulsa, OK

Homes For Sale In Tulsa, OK

An Overview of Cost of Living in Tulsa, OK

Knowing the cost of living in Tulsa allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Tulsa stands at 89, marking it 11% lower than the national average.

Everyday staples like clothes, toiletries and entertainment expenses play a big role in your total living costs. But in Tulsa, these goods are 13.3% cheaper than the national average. So, you can enjoy what you need and love without emptying your wallet. Plus, you'll have more cash to put towards your savings or any other money goals you have, which is a real boost for your financial well-being.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Tulsa?

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 20 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Tulsa. The results indicated that 50% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 50% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Tulsa Affordable?

Wondering if Tulsa is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Tulsa, for example, the median home price is 19.3% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 11.1% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Tulsa boasting a median household income of $73,015, which is 10.2% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Tulsa?

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Tulsa comes in at 1.4% lower than the national average.

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Tulsa, the housing index is 16.8% lower than the national average.

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Tulsa, the transportation index is 12% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Tulsa displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Tulsa

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Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Tulsa, OK, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Tulsa, the median monthly income is $107,696 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $2,513 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $51,863, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,210 on monthly rental expenses.

Oklahoma Sales Tax

Oklahoma Income Tax

Goods & Services

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Health Care

Housing

Transportation

Utilities

Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.