Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Tulsa?

Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Baltimore, MD's $1,300, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Tulsa?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $34,000 in Tulsa.

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Tulsa?

Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Tulsa under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Baltimore vs Tulsa Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/mo est.

Tulsa

Oklahoma

$1,020/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,300 in Baltimore, MD versus $1,020 in Tulsa, OK. Overall, Tulsa, OK is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Baltimore, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $58,407 in Tulsa, OK — about 2% higher in Baltimore, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD

Tulsa, OK

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$786

+25% in Baltimore, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$847

+21% in Baltimore, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$1,045

+23% in Baltimore, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$1,265

+19% in Baltimore, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$189,600

+14% in Baltimore, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$58,407

+2% in Baltimore, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$46,670

+21% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

35.5 yr

+0.6 yr in Baltimore, MD

Homeownership

47.5%

52.0%

+4.5 pp in Tulsa, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

33.3%

+2.1 pp in Baltimore, MD

Avg Commute

29.4 min

18.7 min

+10.7 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

948.9

+41% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

3,664.6

+13% in Baltimore, MD

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

61.4°F

60.1°F

+1.3°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

43.7 in

+1.3 in in Tulsa, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Tulsa, OK

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

13.4

+39% in Baltimore, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$27.15

+43% in Tulsa, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / OK)

4.5%

+1.5 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

4.50%

+2.0 pp in MD

Baltimore vs Tulsa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Tulsa?: Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Baltimore, MD's $1,300, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Tulsa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $34,000 in Tulsa.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Tulsa?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Tulsa 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).