Living Cost Compare
Fresno

California

$1,370/mo est.

vs
Oklahoma City

Oklahoma

$1,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,370 in Fresno, CA versus $1,030 in Oklahoma City, OK. Overall, Oklahoma City, OK is roughly 25% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Fresno, CA, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $66,804 in Fresno, CA and $66,702 in Oklahoma City, OK. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Fresno, CA
Oklahoma City, OK

Rent

Studio
$1,072
$795
+26% in Fresno, CA
1 Bedroom
$1,042
$882
+15% in Fresno, CA
2 Bedroom
$1,293
$1,085
+16% in Fresno, CA
3 Bedroom
$1,688
$1,356
+20% in Fresno, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$348,500
$215,100
+38% in Fresno, CA

Income

Median Household Income
$66,804
$66,702
+0% in Fresno, CA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$46,910
$47,230
+1% in Oklahoma City, OK

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.4 yr
35.0 yr
+2.6 yr in Oklahoma City, OK
Homeownership
49.7%
59.1%
+9.4 pp in Oklahoma City, OK
Bachelor's+ (25+)
24.9%
34.0%
+9.1 pp in Oklahoma City, OK
Avg Commute
22.3 min
22.2 min
+0.1 min in Fresno, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
741.9
685.6
+8% in Fresno, CA
Property Crime
3,334.2
2,928.9
+12% in Fresno, CA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
64.4°F
61.5°F
+2.9°F in Fresno, CA
Annual Precipitation
11.5 in
36.5 in
+25.0 in in Oklahoma City, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$5.91/gal
$4.35/gal
+26% in Fresno, CA

Area: California vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$1.25
$1.75
+40% in Oklahoma City, OK

Adult base one-way fare — FAX vs EMBARK (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
33.4
13.6
+59% in Fresno, CA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$20.72
$15.95
+23% in Fresno, CA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.37
$4.16
+5% in Fresno, CA
Bread (lb)
$2.10
$1.73
+18% in Fresno, CA
Eggs (doz)
$2.25
$2.19
+3% in Fresno, CA
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.23
$6.56
+9% in Fresno, CA
Chicken (lb)
$2.14
$1.90
+11% in Fresno, CA
Bananas (lb)
$0.74
$0.61
+17% in Fresno, CA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / OK)
7.25%
4.5%
+2.8 pp in CA
Income Tax (top rate)
13.30%
4.50%
+8.8 pp in CA

Fresno vs Oklahoma City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fresno or Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Fresno, CA's $1,370, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fresno than in Oklahoma City?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Fresno versus $35,000 in Oklahoma City.
Which has lower taxes, Fresno or Oklahoma City?
Fresno is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Oklahoma City 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).