Is it cheaper to live in Salem or Tulsa?

Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Salem, OR's $1,170, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Salem versus $34,000 in Tulsa.

Which has lower taxes, Salem or Tulsa?

Salem is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Tulsa under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Salem vs Tulsa Cost of Living 2026

Salem

Oregon

$1,170/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 $1,170 in Salem, OR versus $1,020 in Tulsa, OK. Overall, Tulsa, OK is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Salem, OR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $71,900 in Salem, OR and $58,407 in Tulsa, OK — about 19% higher in Salem, OR. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Salem, OR

Tulsa, OK

Rent

Studio

$1,075

$786

+27% in Salem, OR

1 Bedroom

$989

$847

+14% in Salem, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,337

$1,045

+22% in Salem, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,778

$1,265

+29% in Salem, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$382,400

$189,600

+50% in Salem, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$71,900

$58,407

+19% in Salem, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,310

$46,670

+16% in Salem, OR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

35.5 yr

+0.2 yr in Salem, OR

Homeownership

55.7%

52.0%

+3.7 pp in Salem, OR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

31.4%

33.3%

+1.9 pp in Tulsa, OK

Avg Commute

22.4 min

18.7 min

+3.7 min in Salem, OR

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

540.6

948.9

+76% in Tulsa, OK

Property Crime

2,878.6

3,664.6

+27% 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

53.0°F

60.1°F

+7.1°F in Tulsa, OK

Annual Precipitation

39.7 in

43.7 in

+4.1 in in Tulsa, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$3.94/gal

+23% in Salem, OR

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.3

13.4

+18% in Salem, OR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.59

$27.15

+32% in Tulsa, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Salem, OR

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Salem, OR

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Tulsa, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Salem, OR

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Salem, OR

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Salem, OR

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OR / OK)

None

4.5%

+4.5 pp in OK

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

4.50%

+5.4 pp in OR

Salem vs Tulsa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Salem or Tulsa?: Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Salem, OR's $1,170, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Salem than in Tulsa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Salem versus $34,000 in Tulsa.
Which has lower taxes, Salem or Tulsa?: Salem is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no 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).