Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $882 in Oklahoma versus $1,142 in Tennessee. Overall, Oklahoma runs roughly 23% cheaper on rent than Tennessee, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $66,702 in Oklahoma and $63,204 in Tennessee — about 5% higher in Oklahoma. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4.5%
7%
+2.5 pp in Tennessee
Income Tax (top rate)
4.50%
None
+4.5 pp in Oklahoma
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$882
$1,142
+29% in Tennessee
Median Home Value
$215,100
$270,100
+26% in Tennessee
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$66,702
$63,204
+5% in Oklahoma
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
61.5°F
61.3°F
+0.3°F in Oklahoma
Oklahoma vs Tennessee — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Oklahoma or Tennessee?
- Oklahoma is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $882 runs about 23% below Tennessee's $1,142, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Oklahoma than in Tennessee?
- 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 Oklahoma versus $46,000 in Tennessee.
- Which has lower taxes, Oklahoma or Tennessee?
- Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax. Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/2 cities we track in Oklahoma/Tennessee — 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.