Is it cheaper to live in Mesa or Tulsa?

Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Mesa, AZ's $1,460, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $52,000 a year in Mesa versus $34,000 in Tulsa.

Which has lower taxes, Mesa or Tulsa?

Mesa is taxed under Arizona's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax); Tulsa under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Mesa vs Tulsa Cost of Living 2026

Mesa

Arizona

$1,460/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 $1,460 in Mesa, AZ versus $1,020 in Tulsa, OK. Overall, Tulsa, OK is roughly 30% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Mesa, AZ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $78,779 in Mesa, AZ and $58,407 in Tulsa, OK — about 26% higher in Mesa, AZ. Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Mesa, AZ

Tulsa, OK

Rent

Studio

$1,209

$786

+35% in Mesa, AZ

1 Bedroom

$1,288

$847

+34% in Mesa, AZ

2 Bedroom

$1,458

$1,045

+28% in Mesa, AZ

3 Bedroom

$1,819

$1,265

+30% in Mesa, AZ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$364,300

$189,600

+48% in Mesa, AZ

Income

Median Household Income

$78,779

$58,407

+26% in Mesa, AZ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,380

$46,670

+9% in Mesa, AZ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.2 yr

35.5 yr

+1.7 yr in Mesa, AZ

Homeownership

64.4%

52.0%

+12.4 pp in Mesa, AZ

Bachelor's+ (25+)

31.5%

33.3%

+1.8 pp in Tulsa, OK

Avg Commute

25.0 min

18.7 min

+6.3 min in Mesa, AZ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

486.2

948.9

+95% in Tulsa, OK

Property Crime

1,488

3,664.6

+146% 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

75.1°F

60.1°F

+15.0°F in Mesa, AZ

Annual Precipitation

8.0 in

43.7 in

+35.7 in in Tulsa, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$3.94/gal

+23% in Mesa, AZ

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

Adult base one-way fare — Valley Metro vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.2

13.4

+12% in Mesa, AZ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.44

$27.15

+21% in Tulsa, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Mesa, AZ

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Mesa, AZ

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Tulsa, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Mesa, AZ

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Mesa, AZ

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Mesa, AZ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AZ / OK)

5.6%

4.5%

+1.1 pp in AZ

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

4.50%

+2.0 pp in OK

Mesa vs Tulsa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Mesa or Tulsa?: Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Mesa, AZ's $1,460, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Mesa than in Tulsa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $52,000 a year in Mesa versus $34,000 in Tulsa.
Which has lower taxes, Mesa or Tulsa?: Mesa is taxed under Arizona's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% 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).