Living Cost Compare
Bowling Green

Kentucky

$1,020/mo est.

vs
Tulsa

Oklahoma

$1,020/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,020 in Bowling Green, KY versus $1,020 in Tulsa, OK. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $48,419 in Bowling Green, KY and $58,407 in Tulsa, OK — about 17% higher in Tulsa, OK. 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.

Bowling Green, KY
Tulsa, OK

Rent

Studio
$878
$786
+10% in Bowling Green, KY
1 Bedroom
$833
$847
+2% in Tulsa, OK
2 Bedroom
$960
$1,045
+9% in Tulsa, OK
3 Bedroom
$1,214
$1,265
+4% in Tulsa, OK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$232,100
$189,600
+18% in Bowling Green, KY

Income

Median Household Income
$48,419
$58,407
+21% in Tulsa, OK
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$45,040
$46,670
+4% in Tulsa, OK

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
27.9 yr
35.5 yr
+7.6 yr in Tulsa, OK
Homeownership
37.3%
52.0%
+14.7 pp in Tulsa, OK
Bachelor's+ (25+)
32.0%
33.3%
+1.3 pp in Tulsa, OK
Avg Commute
18.8 min
18.7 min
+0.1 min in Bowling Green, KY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
231
948.9
+311% in Tulsa, OK
Property Crime
2,984.4
3,664.6
+23% 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
58.0°F
60.1°F
+2.1°F in Tulsa, OK
Annual Precipitation
49.9 in
43.7 in
+6.2 in in Bowling Green, KY

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.0
13.4
+11% in Bowling Green, KY
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$29.48
$27.15
+8% in Bowling Green, KY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.00
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.75
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.21
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.45
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$1.90
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (KY / OK)
6%
4.5%
+1.5 pp in KY
Income Tax (top rate)
3.50%
4.50%
+1.0 pp in OK

Bowling Green vs Tulsa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bowling Green or Tulsa?
They're close. Bowling Green, KY runs about $1,020 a month and Tulsa, OK about $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bowling Green than in Tulsa?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Bowling Green versus $34,000 in Tulsa.
Which has lower taxes, Bowling Green or Tulsa?
Bowling Green is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% 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).