Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,305 in Colorado versus $882 in Oklahoma. Overall, Oklahoma runs roughly 32% cheaper on rent than Colorado, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $85,364 in Colorado and $66,702 in Oklahoma — about 22% higher in Colorado. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
2.9%
4.5%
+1.6 pp in Oklahoma
Income Tax (top rate)
4.40%
4.50%
+0.1 pp in Oklahoma
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,305
$882
+32% in Colorado
Median Home Value
$586,700
$215,100
+63% in Colorado
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$85,364
$66,702
+22% in Colorado
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
50.2°F
61.5°F
+11.3°F in Oklahoma
Colorado vs Oklahoma — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Colorado or Oklahoma?
- Oklahoma is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $882 runs about 32% below Colorado's $1,305, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Colorado than in Oklahoma?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $52,000 a year in Colorado versus $35,000 in Oklahoma.
- Which has lower taxes, Colorado or Oklahoma?
- Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/1 cities we track in Colorado/Oklahoma — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.