Is it cheaper to live in Phoenix or Tulsa?

Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Phoenix, AZ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Phoenix versus $34,000 in Tulsa.

Which has lower taxes, Phoenix or Tulsa?

Phoenix is taxed under Arizona's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax); Tulsa under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Phoenix vs Tulsa Cost of Living 2026

Phoenix

Arizona

$1,430/mo est.

Tulsa

Oklahoma

$1,020/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,430 in Phoenix, AZ versus $1,020 in Tulsa, OK. Overall, Tulsa, OK is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Phoenix, AZ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,041 in Phoenix, AZ and $58,407 in Tulsa, OK — about 24% higher in Phoenix, AZ. Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Phoenix, AZ

Tulsa, OK

Rent

Studio

$1,127

$786

+30% in Phoenix, AZ

1 Bedroom

$1,253

$847

+32% in Phoenix, AZ

2 Bedroom

$1,493

$1,045

+30% in Phoenix, AZ

3 Bedroom

$1,771

$1,265

+29% in Phoenix, AZ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$381,900

$189,600

+50% in Phoenix, AZ

Income

Median Household Income

$77,041

$58,407

+24% in Phoenix, AZ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,380

$46,670

+9% in Phoenix, AZ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.8 yr

35.5 yr

+0.7 yr in Tulsa, OK

Homeownership

57.1%

52.0%

+5.1 pp in Phoenix, AZ

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.3%

33.3%

+1.0 pp in Tulsa, OK

Avg Commute

25.7 min

18.7 min

+7.0 min in Phoenix, AZ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

799.6

948.9

+19% in Tulsa, OK

Property Crime

2,338.9

3,664.6

+57% 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

75.1°F

60.1°F

+15.0°F in Phoenix, AZ

Annual Precipitation

8.2 in

43.7 in

+35.5 in in Tulsa, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$3.94/gal

+23% in Phoenix, AZ

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.2

13.4

+12% in Phoenix, AZ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.44

$27.15

+21% in Tulsa, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Phoenix, AZ

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Phoenix, AZ

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Tulsa, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Phoenix, AZ

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Phoenix, AZ

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Phoenix, AZ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AZ / OK)

5.6%

4.5%

+1.1 pp in AZ

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

4.50%

+2.0 pp in OK

Phoenix vs Tulsa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Phoenix or Tulsa?: Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Phoenix, AZ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Phoenix than in Tulsa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Phoenix versus $34,000 in Tulsa.
Which has lower taxes, Phoenix or Tulsa?: Phoenix is taxed under Arizona's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% 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).