Is it cheaper to live in Providence or Tulsa?

Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Providence, RI's $1,310, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Providence versus $34,000 in Tulsa.

Which has lower taxes, Providence or Tulsa?

Providence is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Tulsa under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Providence vs Tulsa Cost of Living 2026

Providence

Rhode Island

$1,310/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 $1,310 in Providence, RI versus $1,020 in Tulsa, OK. Overall, Tulsa, OK is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Providence, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $66,772 in Providence, RI and $58,407 in Tulsa, OK — about 13% higher in Providence, RI. Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Providence, RI

Tulsa, OK

Rent

Studio

$1,116

$786

+30% in Providence, RI

1 Bedroom

$1,030

$847

+18% in Providence, RI

2 Bedroom

$1,323

$1,045

+21% in Providence, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,627

$1,265

+22% in Providence, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$322,800

$189,600

+41% in Providence, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$66,772

$58,407

+13% in Providence, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$53,680

$46,670

+13% in Providence, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.9 yr

35.5 yr

+2.6 yr in Tulsa, OK

Homeownership

41.2%

52.0%

+10.8 pp in Tulsa, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.7%

33.3%

+1.4 pp in Providence, RI

Avg Commute

25.0 min

18.7 min

+6.3 min in Providence, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

282.4

948.9

+236% in Tulsa, OK

Property Crime

1,665.6

3,664.6

+120% 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

51.6°F

60.1°F

+8.5°F in Tulsa, OK

Annual Precipitation

47.2 in

43.7 in

+3.5 in in Providence, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Tulsa, OK

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.5

13.4

+55% in Providence, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$16.06

$27.15

+69% in Tulsa, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Providence, RI

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Providence, RI

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Tulsa, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Providence, RI

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Providence, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Providence, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (RI / OK)

4.5%

+2.5 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.99%

4.50%

+1.5 pp in RI

Providence vs Tulsa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Providence or Tulsa?: Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Providence, RI's $1,310, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Providence than in Tulsa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Providence versus $34,000 in Tulsa.
Which has lower taxes, Providence or Tulsa?: Providence is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).