Living Cost Compare
Ann Arbor

Michigan

$1,630/mo est.

vs
Oklahoma City

Oklahoma

$1,070/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,630 in Ann Arbor, MI versus $1,070 in Oklahoma City, OK. Overall, Oklahoma City, OK is roughly 34% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Ann Arbor, MI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,089 in Ann Arbor, MI and $66,702 in Oklahoma City, OK — about 18% higher in Ann Arbor, MI. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Ann Arbor, MI
Oklahoma City, OK

Rent

Studio
$1,274
$795
+38% in Ann Arbor, MI
1 Bedroom
$1,389
$882
+37% in Ann Arbor, MI
2 Bedroom
$1,692
$1,085
+36% in Ann Arbor, MI
3 Bedroom
$1,812
$1,356
+25% in Ann Arbor, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$435,100
$215,100
+51% in Ann Arbor, MI

Income

Median Household Income
$81,089
$66,702
+18% in Ann Arbor, MI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$55,380
$47,230
+15% in Ann Arbor, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
27.7 yr
35.0 yr
+7.3 yr in Oklahoma City, OK
Homeownership
45.6%
59.1%
+13.5 pp in Oklahoma City, OK
Bachelor's+ (25+)
77.7%
34.0%
+43.7 pp in Ann Arbor, MI
Avg Commute
19.9 min
22.2 min
+2.3 min in Oklahoma City, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
311
685.9
+121% in Oklahoma City, OK
Property Crime
1,744.5
2,929.1
+68% in Oklahoma City, OK

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
47.7°F
61.5°F
+13.8°F in Oklahoma City, OK
Annual Precipitation
32.8 in
36.5 in
+3.7 in in Oklahoma City, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.85/gal
about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$1.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs EMBARK (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
23.0
14.3
+38% in Ann Arbor, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.72
$31.25
+58% in Oklahoma City, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.00
+7% in Ann Arbor, MI
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.75
+5% in Oklahoma City, OK
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.21
+39% in Ann Arbor, MI
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.45
+5% in Ann Arbor, MI
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$1.90
+9% in Ann Arbor, MI
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

Average prices — Midwest vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / OK)
6%
4.5%
+1.5 pp in MI
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
4.50%
+0.3 pp in OK

Ann Arbor vs Oklahoma City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Ann Arbor or Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Ann Arbor, MI's $1,630, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Ann Arbor than in Oklahoma City?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $56,000 a year in Ann Arbor versus $35,000 in Oklahoma City.
Which has lower taxes, Ann Arbor or Oklahoma City?
Ann Arbor is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Oklahoma City under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).