Living Cost Compare
Grand Rapids

Michigan

$1,200/mo est.

vs
Tulsa

Oklahoma

$1,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,200 in Grand Rapids, MI versus $1,030 in Tulsa, OK. Overall, Tulsa, OK is roughly 14% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Grand Rapids, MI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,526 in Grand Rapids, MI and $58,407 in Tulsa, OK — about 11% higher in Grand Rapids, MI. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Grand Rapids, MI
Tulsa, OK

Rent

Studio
$992
$786
+21% in Grand Rapids, MI
1 Bedroom
$964
$847
+12% in Grand Rapids, MI
2 Bedroom
$1,206
$1,045
+13% in Grand Rapids, MI
3 Bedroom
$1,421
$1,265
+11% in Grand Rapids, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$225,500
$189,600
+16% in Grand Rapids, MI

Income

Median Household Income
$65,526
$58,407
+11% in Grand Rapids, MI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,570
$46,670
+2% in Grand Rapids, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.1 yr
35.5 yr
+3.4 yr in Tulsa, OK
Homeownership
54.6%
52.0%
+2.6 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Bachelor's+ (25+)
40.1%
33.3%
+6.8 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Avg Commute
19.4 min
18.7 min
+0.7 min in Grand Rapids, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
910.1
948.9
+4% in Tulsa, OK
Property Crime
2,506.2
3,664.6
+46% 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
49.1°F
60.1°F
+11.0°F in Tulsa, OK
Annual Precipitation
38.3 in
43.7 in
+5.5 in in Tulsa, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.85/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
23.0
14.3
+38% in Grand Rapids, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.72
$31.25
+58% in Tulsa, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.00
+7% in Grand Rapids, MI
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.75
+5% in Tulsa, OK
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.21
+39% in Grand Rapids, MI
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.45
+5% in Grand Rapids, MI
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$1.90
+9% in Grand Rapids, MI
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / OK)
6%
4.5%
+1.5 pp in MI
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
4.50%
+0.3 pp in OK

Grand Rapids vs Tulsa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Rapids or Tulsa?
Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Grand Rapids, MI's $1,200, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Grand Rapids than in Tulsa?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Grand Rapids versus $34,000 in Tulsa.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Rapids or Tulsa?
Grand Rapids is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% 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).