Living Cost Compare
Oklahoma City

Oklahoma

$1,030/mo est.

vs
San Francisco

California

$2,750/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,030 in Oklahoma City, OK versus $2,750 in San Francisco, CA. Overall, Oklahoma City, OK is roughly 63% cheaper to live in day-to-day than San Francisco, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $66,702 in Oklahoma City, OK and $141,446 in San Francisco, CA — about 53% higher in San Francisco, CA. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax; California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax.

Oklahoma City, OK
San Francisco, CA

Rent

Studio
$795
$1,560
+96% in San Francisco, CA
1 Bedroom
$882
$2,425
+175% in San Francisco, CA
2 Bedroom
$1,085
$2,982
+175% in San Francisco, CA
3 Bedroom
$1,356
$3,269
+141% in San Francisco, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$215,100
$1,380,500
+542% in San Francisco, CA

Income

Median Household Income
$66,702
$141,446
+112% in San Francisco, CA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,230
$74,260
+57% in San Francisco, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.0 yr
39.7 yr
+4.7 yr in San Francisco, CA
Homeownership
59.1%
38.5%
+20.6 pp in Oklahoma City, OK
Bachelor's+ (25+)
34.0%
60.1%
+26.1 pp in San Francisco, CA
Avg Commute
22.2 min
31.2 min
+9.0 min in San Francisco, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
685.6
596.5
+13% in Oklahoma City, OK
Property Crime
2,928.9
3,962.2
+35% in San Francisco, CA

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
57.3°F
+4.2°F in Oklahoma City, OK
Annual Precipitation
36.5 in
23.6 in
+12.9 in in Oklahoma City, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.35/gal
$6.05/gal
+39% in San Francisco, CA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs San Francisco.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$1.75
$2.50
+43% in San Francisco, CA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
13.6
33.4
+146% in San Francisco, CA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$15.95
$20.72
+30% in San Francisco, CA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.16
$4.37
+5% in San Francisco, CA
Bread (lb)
$1.73
$2.10
+21% in San Francisco, CA
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.25
+3% in San Francisco, CA
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.56
$7.23
+10% in San Francisco, CA
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.14
+12% in San Francisco, CA
Bananas (lb)
$0.61
$0.74
+21% in San Francisco, CA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OK / CA)
4.5%
7.25%
+2.8 pp in CA
Income Tax (top rate)
4.50%
13.30%
+8.8 pp in CA

Oklahoma City vs San Francisco — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Oklahoma City or San Francisco?
Oklahoma City, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 63% below San Francisco, CA's $2,750, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Oklahoma City than in San Francisco?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Oklahoma City versus $97,000 in San Francisco.
Which has lower taxes, Oklahoma City or San Francisco?
Oklahoma City is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); San Francisco under California's (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% 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).