Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Tulsa?

Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Cincinnati, OH's $1,030, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $34,000 in Tulsa.

Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Tulsa?

Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Tulsa under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Cincinnati vs Tulsa Cost of Living 2026

Cincinnati

Ohio

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Cincinnati, OH versus $1,020 in Tulsa, OK. Overall, Tulsa, OK is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cincinnati, OH, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati, OH and $58,407 in Tulsa, OK — about 11% higher in Tulsa, OK. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Cincinnati, OH

Tulsa, OK

Rent

Studio

$791

$786

+1% in Cincinnati, OH

1 Bedroom

$817

$847

+4% in Tulsa, OK

2 Bedroom

$1,023

$1,045

+2% in Tulsa, OK

3 Bedroom

$1,228

$1,265

+3% in Tulsa, OK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$215,300

$189,600

+12% in Cincinnati, OH

Income

Median Household Income

$51,707

$58,407

+13% in Tulsa, OK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,170

$46,670

+7% in Cincinnati, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

35.5 yr

+2.5 yr in Tulsa, OK

Homeownership

38.9%

52.0%

+13.1 pp in Tulsa, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.3%

33.3%

+8.0 pp in Cincinnati, OH

Avg Commute

23.1 min

18.7 min

+4.4 min in Cincinnati, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

856.5

948.9

+11% in Tulsa, OK

Property Crime

3,877.7

3,664.6

+5% in Cincinnati, OH

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

54.3°F

60.1°F

+5.8°F in Tulsa, OK

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

43.7 in

+1.8 in in Tulsa, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.18/gal

$3.94/gal

+6% in Cincinnati, OH

Area: Ohio vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.5

13.4

+31% in Cincinnati, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$27.15

+19% in Tulsa, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Cincinnati, OH

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Tulsa, OK

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Cincinnati, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Cincinnati, OH

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Cincinnati, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / OK)

5.75%

4.5%

+1.3 pp in OH

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

4.50%

+1.8 pp in OK

Cincinnati vs Tulsa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Tulsa?: Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Cincinnati, OH's $1,030, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cincinnati than in Tulsa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $34,000 in Tulsa.
Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Tulsa?: Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% 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).