Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Tulsa?

Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $34,000 in Tulsa.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Tulsa?

Frederick 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).

Frederick vs Tulsa Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,640/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 $1,640 in Frederick, MD versus $1,020 in Tulsa, OK. Overall, Tulsa, OK is roughly 38% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $58,407 in Tulsa, OK — about 39% higher in Frederick, 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.

Frederick, MD

Tulsa, OK

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$786

+53% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$847

+40% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,045

+37% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,265

+32% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$189,600

+48% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$58,407

+39% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$46,670

+34% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

35.5 yr

+1.6 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

59.2%

52.0%

+7.2 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

33.3%

+8.5 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

30.1 min

18.7 min

+11.4 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

948.9

+134% in Tulsa, OK

Property Crime

1,696.3

3,664.6

+116% 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

52.1°F

60.1°F

+8.0°F in Tulsa, OK

Annual Precipitation

—

43.7 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Tulsa, OK

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

13.4

+39% in Frederick, 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

Frederick vs Tulsa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Tulsa?: Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Tulsa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $34,000 in Tulsa.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Tulsa?: Frederick 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).