Is it cheaper to live in Cleveland or Tulsa?

Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Tulsa, OK's $1,020, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cleveland versus $34,000 in Tulsa.

Which has lower taxes, Cleveland or Tulsa?

Cleveland 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).

Cleveland vs Tulsa Cost of Living 2026

Cleveland

Ohio

$940/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 $940 in Cleveland, OH versus $1,020 in Tulsa, OK. Overall, Cleveland, OH is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tulsa, OK, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland, OH and $58,407 in Tulsa, OK — about 33% 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.

Cleveland, OH

Tulsa, OK

Rent

Studio

$678

$786

+16% in Tulsa, OK

1 Bedroom

$732

$847

+16% in Tulsa, OK

2 Bedroom

$903

$1,045

+16% in Tulsa, OK

3 Bedroom

$1,081

$1,265

+17% in Tulsa, OK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$94,100

$189,600

+101% in Tulsa, OK

Income

Median Household Income

$39,187

$58,407

+49% in Tulsa, OK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,140

$46,670

+7% in Cleveland, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.3 yr

35.5 yr

+0.8 yr in Cleveland, OH

Homeownership

41.2%

52.0%

+10.8 pp in Tulsa, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

21.3%

33.3%

+12.0 pp in Tulsa, OK

Avg Commute

22.9 min

18.7 min

+4.2 min in Cleveland, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,582

948.9

+40% in Cleveland, OH

Property Crime

4,531.3

3,664.6

+19% in Cleveland, OH

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.7°F

60.1°F

+7.4°F in Tulsa, OK

Annual Precipitation

36.4 in

43.7 in

+7.4 in in Tulsa, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.18/gal

$3.94/gal

+6% in Cleveland, OH

Area: Ohio vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.5

13.4

+31% in Cleveland, 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 Cleveland, OH

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Tulsa, OK

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Cleveland, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Cleveland, OH

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Cleveland, 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

Cleveland vs Tulsa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cleveland or Tulsa?: Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Tulsa, OK's $1,020, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cleveland than in Tulsa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cleveland versus $34,000 in Tulsa.
Which has lower taxes, Cleveland or Tulsa?: Cleveland 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).