Is it cheaper to live in New Haven or Tulsa?

Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below New Haven, CT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year in New Haven versus $34,000 in Tulsa.

Which has lower taxes, New Haven or Tulsa?

New Haven is taxed under Connecticut's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax); Tulsa under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

New Haven vs Tulsa Cost of Living 2026

New Haven

Connecticut

$1,530/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 $1,530 in New Haven, CT versus $1,030 in Tulsa, OK. Overall, Tulsa, OK is roughly 33% cheaper to live in day-to-day than New Haven, CT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,771 in New Haven, CT and $58,407 in Tulsa, OK — about 8% higher in Tulsa, OK. Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

New Haven, CT

Tulsa, OK

Rent

Studio

$1,159

$786

+32% in New Haven, CT

1 Bedroom

$1,275

$847

+34% in New Haven, CT

2 Bedroom

$1,473

$1,045

+29% in New Haven, CT

3 Bedroom

$1,636

$1,265

+23% in New Haven, CT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$249,000

$189,600

+24% in New Haven, CT

Income

Median Household Income

$53,771

$58,407

+9% in Tulsa, OK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$60,060

$46,670

+22% in New Haven, CT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.9 yr

35.5 yr

+3.6 yr in Tulsa, OK

Homeownership

28.4%

52.0%

+23.6 pp in Tulsa, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.7%

33.3%

+4.4 pp in New Haven, CT

Avg Commute

21.0 min

18.7 min

+2.3 min in New Haven, CT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

536.3

948.9

+77% in Tulsa, OK

Property Crime

3,601.6

3,664.6

+2% 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

52.2°F

60.1°F

+7.9°F in Tulsa, OK

Annual Precipitation

47.1 in

43.7 in

+3.4 in in New Haven, CT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in New Haven, CT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

24.3

14.3

+41% in New Haven, CT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$23.33

$31.25

+34% in Tulsa, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in New Haven, CT

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in New Haven, CT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Tulsa, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in New Haven, CT

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in New Haven, CT

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in New Haven, CT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CT / OK)

6.35%

4.5%

+1.8 pp in CT

Income Tax (top rate)

6.99%

4.50%

+2.5 pp in CT

New Haven vs Tulsa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in New Haven or Tulsa?: Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below New Haven, CT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in New Haven than in Tulsa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year in New Haven versus $34,000 in Tulsa.
Which has lower taxes, New Haven or Tulsa?: New Haven is taxed under Connecticut's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% 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).