Is it cheaper to live in Missoula or Tulsa?

Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Missoula, MT's $1,100, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Missoula versus $34,000 in Tulsa.

Which has lower taxes, Missoula or Tulsa?

Missoula is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Tulsa under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Missoula vs Tulsa Cost of Living 2026

Missoula

Montana

$1,100/mo est.

Tulsa

Oklahoma

$1,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,100 in Missoula, MT versus $1,030 in Tulsa, OK. Overall, Tulsa, OK is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Missoula, MT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,329 in Missoula, MT and $58,407 in Tulsa, OK — about 11% higher in Missoula, MT. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Missoula, MT

Tulsa, OK

Rent

Studio

$755

$786

+4% in Tulsa, OK

1 Bedroom

$953

$847

+11% in Missoula, MT

2 Bedroom

$1,176

$1,045

+11% in Missoula, MT

3 Bedroom

$1,676

$1,265

+25% in Missoula, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$427,400

$189,600

+56% in Missoula, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$65,329

$58,407

+11% in Missoula, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,830

$46,670

+2% in Missoula, MT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.3 yr

35.5 yr

+1.2 yr in Tulsa, OK

Homeownership

47.8%

52.0%

+4.2 pp in Tulsa, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

51.7%

33.3%

+18.4 pp in Missoula, MT

Avg Commute

16.6 min

18.7 min

+2.1 min in Tulsa, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

601.9

948.9

+58% in Tulsa, OK

Property Crime

3,685.2

3,664.6

+1% in Missoula, MT

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

45.9°F

60.1°F

+14.2°F in Tulsa, OK

Annual Precipitation

14.1 in

43.7 in

+29.6 in in Tulsa, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.85/gal

+10% in Missoula, MT

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.1

14.3

+5% in Missoula, MT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.12

$31.25

+209% in Tulsa, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Missoula, MT

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Missoula, MT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Tulsa, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Missoula, MT

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Missoula, MT

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Missoula, MT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MT / OK)

None

4.5%

+4.5 pp in OK

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

4.50%

+1.2 pp in MT

Missoula vs Tulsa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Missoula or Tulsa?: Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Missoula, MT's $1,100, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Missoula than in Tulsa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Missoula versus $34,000 in Tulsa.
Which has lower taxes, Missoula or Tulsa?: Missoula is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no 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).