Is it cheaper to live in Paterson or Tulsa?

Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Paterson versus $34,000 in Tulsa.

Which has lower taxes, Paterson or Tulsa?

Paterson is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Tulsa under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Paterson vs Tulsa Cost of Living 2026

Paterson

New Jersey

$1,430/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 $1,430 in Paterson, NJ versus $1,030 in Tulsa, OK. Overall, Tulsa, OK is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Paterson, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,766 in Paterson, NJ and $58,407 in Tulsa, OK — about 8% higher in Tulsa, OK. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Paterson, NJ

Tulsa, OK

Rent

Studio

$786

about equal

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$847

+28% in Paterson, NJ

2 Bedroom

$1,468

$1,045

+29% in Paterson, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,729

$1,265

+27% in Paterson, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$335,400

$189,600

+43% in Paterson, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$53,766

$58,407

+9% in Tulsa, OK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$61,430

$46,670

+24% in Paterson, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.3 yr

35.5 yr

+2.2 yr in Tulsa, OK

Homeownership

26.2%

52.0%

+25.8 pp in Tulsa, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

12.5%

33.3%

+20.8 pp in Tulsa, OK

Avg Commute

23.1 min

18.7 min

+4.4 min in Paterson, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,010.1

948.9

+6% in Paterson, NJ

Property Crime

2,391.4

3,664.6

+53% 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

49.0 in

43.7 in

+5.3 in in Paterson, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Paterson, NJ

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

24.9

14.3

+43% in Paterson, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$17.68

$31.25

+77% in Tulsa, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Paterson, NJ

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Paterson, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Tulsa, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Paterson, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Paterson, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Paterson, NJ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NJ / OK)

6.625%

4.5%

+2.1 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

10.75%

4.50%

+6.3 pp in NJ

Paterson vs Tulsa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Paterson or Tulsa?: Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Paterson than in Tulsa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Paterson versus $34,000 in Tulsa.
Which has lower taxes, Paterson or Tulsa?: Paterson is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).