Is Tulsa expensive to live in?

Tulsa is among the more affordable of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $847 per month ranks #96 of 112 and is 22% lower than the $1,080 median.

What is the average rent in Tulsa?

Average rent in Tulsa, OK runs a studio around $786, a one-bedroom around $847, a two-bedroom around $1,045, a three-bedroom around $1,265 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Tulsa?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $847 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year. The median household income here is $58,407.

How much does it cost to live in Tulsa per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Tulsa is about $1,020 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Tulsa, OK

Population 412,322 · Oklahoma

~$1,020/mo est.1BR $847Home $189,600

Photo: Tyler Fulk / Unsplash

Compare with:

The cost of living in Tulsa, OK is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $847 a month — 22% lower than the $1,080 median across the 112 large US cities we track. Studios average $786 and two-bedrooms $1,045.

Median household income here is $58,407, 16% lower than the $69,423 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,020 before food and transport. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $847

Studio

$786

1 Bedroom

$847

2 Bedroom

$1,045

3 Bedroom

$1,265

Buying a Home$189,600

Median Home Value

$189,600

Income$58,407

Median Household Income

$58,407

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,670

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesSouth

Milk (gal)

$4.00

Bread (lb)

$1.75

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

Average prices, South (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities13.4¢/kWh

Electricity

13.4¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$27.15/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-05-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.94/gal

Regular Gasoline (Midwest (PADD 2))

$3.94/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-17.

State Taxes (OK)4.5% sales

State Sales Tax

4.50%

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 4.50%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime948.9 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

948.9

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

3,664.6

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Tulsa Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 35.5 yrs

Median Age

35.5 yrs

Homeownership

52.0%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.3%

Avg Commute

18.7 min

Climate60.1°F

Avg Annual Temperature

60.1°F

Annual Precipitation

43.7 in

Tulsa cost of living — FAQ

Is Tulsa expensive to live in?: Tulsa is among the more affordable of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $847 per month ranks #96 of 112 and is 22% lower than the $1,080 median.
What is the average rent in Tulsa?: Average rent in Tulsa, OK runs a studio around $786, a one-bedroom around $847, a two-bedroom around $1,045, a three-bedroom around $1,265 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Tulsa?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $847 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year. The median household income here is $58,407.
How much does it cost to live in Tulsa per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Tulsa is about $1,020 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Tulsa with nearby cities

Tulsa vs Oklahoma City Tulsa vs Norman Tulsa vs Wichita Tulsa vs Springfield Tulsa vs Kansas City Tulsa vs Little Rock

Nearby cities

Oklahoma City, OK 98 mi Norman, OK 104 mi Wichita, KS 129 mi Springfield, MO 166 mi Kansas City, MO 218 mi Little Rock, AR 230 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.