| Index | Tulsa | Oklahoma | National |
| Cost of living | 92 | 88 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| Health care | 95 | 95 | 100 |
| Housing | 83 | 70 | 100 |
| Transportation | 94 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 93 | 96 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 93 | 94 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 99 | 93 | 100 |
The cost of living in Tulsa 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 Tulsa is 92, which is 8% 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 Tulsa 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.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 20 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Tulsa and this is how they responded. 50% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 50% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Tulsa affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Tulsa, the median home price is 19.3% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 11.1% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Tulsa boasting a median household income of $73,015, 10.2% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Tulsa, healthcare costs are 4.7% lower than the national average.
Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Tulsa, the groceries index is 2.3% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.
The cost of living data for Tulsa shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| 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 | $107,696 | $8,975 | $2,513 | $3,231 |
| Renters | $51,863 | $4,322 | $1,210 | $1,556 |
| 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. |
| Lotsee, OK | 5 | 96 | 4.1% |
| Turley, OK | 2,884 | 80 | 20.0% |
| Kellyville, OK | 1,212 | 83 | 16.9% |
| Sperry, OK | 1,168 | 83 | 16.5% |
| Oakhurst, OK | 2,510 | 86 | 13.9% |
| Tulsa, OK | 411,711 | 92 | 7.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| New Orleans, LA | 406,893 | 107 | 6.8% |
| Arlington, TX | 406,065 | 101 | 0.6% |
| Tampa, FL | 403,927 | 114 | 14.5% |
| London, ON | 421,456 | n/a | |
| Wichita, KS | 398,457 | 91 | 9.0% |
| Tulsa, OK | 411,711 | 92 | 7.9% |
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