Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $877 in Kentucky versus $882 in Oklahoma. Overall, Kentucky runs roughly 1% cheaper on rent than Oklahoma, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $64,731 in Kentucky and $66,702 in Oklahoma — about 3% higher in Oklahoma. Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% 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 Kentucky
Income Tax (top rate)
3.50%
4.50%
+1.0 pp in Oklahoma
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$877
$882
+1% in Oklahoma
Median Home Value
$221,500
$215,100
+3% in Kentucky
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$64,731
$66,702
+3% in Oklahoma
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
58.2°F
61.5°F
+3.3°F in Oklahoma
Kentucky vs Oklahoma — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Kentucky or Oklahoma?
- Kentucky is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $877 runs about 1% below Oklahoma's $882, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Kentucky 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 Kentucky versus $35,000 in Oklahoma.
- Which has lower taxes, Kentucky or Oklahoma?
- Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% 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 1/1 cities we track in Kentucky/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.