Is it cheaper to live in Rochester or Tulsa?

Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Rochester, NY's $1,160, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Rochester or Tulsa?

Rochester is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax); Tulsa under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Rochester vs Tulsa Cost of Living 2026

Rochester

New York

$1,160/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 $1,160 in Rochester, NY versus $1,020 in Tulsa, OK. Overall, Tulsa, OK is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rochester, NY, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $46,628 in Rochester, NY and $58,407 in Tulsa, OK — about 20% higher in Tulsa, OK. New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Rochester, NY

Tulsa, OK

Rent

Studio

$750

$786

+5% in Tulsa, OK

1 Bedroom

$857

$847

+1% in Rochester, NY

2 Bedroom

$1,114

$1,045

+6% in Rochester, NY

3 Bedroom

$1,240

$1,265

+2% in Tulsa, OK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$120,600

$189,600

+57% in Tulsa, OK

Income

Median Household Income

$46,628

$58,407

+25% in Tulsa, OK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,210

$46,670

+9% in Rochester, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.5 yr

35.5 yr

+2.0 yr in Tulsa, OK

Homeownership

37.2%

52.0%

+14.8 pp in Tulsa, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.9%

33.3%

+3.4 pp in Tulsa, OK

Avg Commute

18.9 min

18.7 min

+0.2 min in Rochester, NY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

690

948.9

+38% in Tulsa, OK

Property Crime

3,533.4

3,664.6

+4% 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

48.2°F

60.1°F

+11.9°F in Tulsa, OK

Annual Precipitation

34.3 in

43.7 in

+9.5 in in Tulsa, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.04/gal

$3.94/gal

+3% in Rochester, NY

Area: New York vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.9

13.4

+55% in Rochester, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.74

$27.15

+19% in Tulsa, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Rochester, NY

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Rochester, NY

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Tulsa, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Rochester, NY

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Rochester, NY

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Rochester, NY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NY / OK)

4.5%

+0.5 pp in OK

Income Tax (top rate)

10.90%

4.50%

+6.4 pp in NY

Rochester vs Tulsa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Rochester or Tulsa?: Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Rochester, NY's $1,160, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Rochester than in Tulsa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Rochester versus $34,000 in Tulsa.
Which has lower taxes, Rochester or Tulsa?: Rochester is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% 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).