Living Cost Compare
Oklahoma City

Oklahoma

$1,050/mo est.

vs
Rochester

Minnesota

$1,280/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,050 in Oklahoma City, OK versus $1,280 in Rochester, MN. Overall, Oklahoma City, OK is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rochester, MN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $66,702 in Oklahoma City, OK and $87,767 in Rochester, MN — about 24% higher in Rochester, MN. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax; Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.

Oklahoma City, OK
Rochester, MN

Rent

Studio
$795
$1,080
+36% in Rochester, MN
1 Bedroom
$882
$1,106
+25% in Rochester, MN
2 Bedroom
$1,085
$1,243
+15% in Rochester, MN
3 Bedroom
$1,356
$1,646
+21% in Rochester, MN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$215,100
$287,500
+34% in Rochester, MN

Income

Median Household Income
$66,702
$87,767
+32% in Rochester, MN
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,230
$60,620
+28% in Rochester, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.0 yr
36.4 yr
+1.4 yr in Rochester, MN
Homeownership
59.1%
65.4%
+6.3 pp in Rochester, MN
Bachelor's+ (25+)
34.0%
50.1%
+16.1 pp in Rochester, MN
Avg Commute
22.2 min
17.2 min
+5.0 min in Oklahoma City, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
685.9
158.9
+77% in Oklahoma City, OK
Property Crime
2,929.1
1,379
+53% in Oklahoma City, OK

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
61.5°F
45.4°F
+16.1°F in Oklahoma City, OK
Annual Precipitation
36.5 in
33.0 in
+3.5 in in Oklahoma City, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.95/gal
about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Minnesota.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$1.75
—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
13.4
16.9
+27% in Rochester, MN
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$27.15
$14.95
+45% in Oklahoma City, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in Rochester, MN
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.66
+5% in Oklahoma City, OK
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$3.63
+64% in Rochester, MN
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.77
+5% in Rochester, MN
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.10
+10% in Rochester, MN
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OK / MN)
4.5%
6.875%
+2.4 pp in MN
Income Tax (top rate)
4.50%
9.85%
+5.3 pp in MN

Oklahoma City vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Oklahoma City or Rochester?
Oklahoma City, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Rochester, MN's $1,280, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Oklahoma City than in Rochester?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Oklahoma City versus $44,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Oklahoma City or Rochester?
Oklahoma City is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% 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).