Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Tulsa?

Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $34,000 in Tulsa.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Tulsa?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).

Boise vs Tulsa Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/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 $1,260 in Boise, ID versus $1,020 in Tulsa, OK. Overall, Tulsa, OK is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $58,407 in Tulsa, OK — about 28% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Tulsa, OK

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$786

+23% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$847

+25% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$1,045

+22% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,265

+28% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$189,600

+58% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$58,407

+28% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$46,670

+5% in Boise, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

35.5 yr

+2.7 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

52.0%

+11.0 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

33.3%

+13.3 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

18.7 min

+0.4 min in Boise, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

948.9

+215% in Tulsa, OK

Property Crime

1,135.1

3,664.6

+223% in Tulsa, OK

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.5°F

60.1°F

+7.6°F in Tulsa, OK

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

43.7 in

+32.0 in in Tulsa, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

12.3

13.4

+8% in Tulsa, OK

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$27.15

+151% in Tulsa, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Tulsa, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Boise, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Boise, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / OK)

4.5%

+1.5 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

4.50%

+0.8 pp in ID

Boise vs Tulsa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Tulsa?: Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Tulsa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $34,000 in Tulsa.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Tulsa?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).