Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $870 in Iowa versus $863 in Oklahoma. Overall, Oklahoma runs roughly 1% cheaper on rent than Iowa, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,966 in Iowa and $65,060 in Oklahoma — about 2% higher in Oklahoma. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% 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
6%
4.5%
+1.5 pp in Iowa
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
4.50%
+0.7 pp in Oklahoma
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$870
$863
+1% in Iowa
Median Home Value
$183,700
$215,100
+17% in Oklahoma
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,966
$65,060
+2% in Oklahoma
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
50.9°F
61.5°F
+10.6°F in Oklahoma
Iowa vs Oklahoma — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or Oklahoma?
- Oklahoma is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $863 runs about 1% below Iowa's $870, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Iowa 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 $35,000 a year in Iowa versus $35,000 in Oklahoma.
- Which has lower taxes, Iowa or Oklahoma?
- Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% 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 1/3 cities we track in Iowa/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.