Is it cheaper to live in Seattle or Tulsa?

Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 50% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $74,000 a year in Seattle versus $34,000 in Tulsa.

Which has lower taxes, Seattle or Tulsa?

Seattle is taxed under Washington's rules (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax); Tulsa under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Seattle vs Tulsa Cost of Living 2026

Seattle

Washington

$2,030/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 $2,030 in Seattle, WA versus $1,020 in Tulsa, OK. Overall, Tulsa, OK is roughly 50% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $121,984 in Seattle, WA and $58,407 in Tulsa, OK — about 52% higher in Seattle, WA. Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Seattle, WA

Tulsa, OK

Rent

Studio

$1,638

$786

+52% in Seattle, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,858

$847

+54% in Seattle, WA

2 Bedroom

$2,359

$1,045

+56% in Seattle, WA

3 Bedroom

$2,918

$1,265

+57% in Seattle, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$912,100

$189,600

+79% in Seattle, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$121,984

$58,407

+52% in Seattle, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$72,610

$46,670

+36% in Seattle, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.5 yr

about equal

Homeownership

44.2%

52.0%

+7.8 pp in Tulsa, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

67.5%

33.3%

+34.2 pp in Seattle, WA

Avg Commute

26.6 min

18.7 min

+7.9 min in Seattle, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

788.6

948.9

+20% in Tulsa, OK

Property Crime

5,108.8

3,664.6

+28% in Seattle, WA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

53.5°F

60.1°F

+6.6°F in Tulsa, OK

Annual Precipitation

37.7 in

43.7 in

+6.0 in in Tulsa, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.31/gal

$3.94/gal

+26% in Seattle, WA

Area: Seattle vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

13.4

+11% in Seattle, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.41

$27.15

+33% in Tulsa, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Seattle, WA

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Seattle, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Tulsa, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Seattle, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Seattle, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Seattle, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WA / OK)

6.5%

4.5%

+2.0 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

None

4.50%

+4.5 pp in OK

Seattle vs Tulsa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Seattle or Tulsa?: Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 50% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Seattle than in Tulsa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $74,000 a year in Seattle versus $34,000 in Tulsa.
Which has lower taxes, Seattle or Tulsa?: Seattle is taxed under Washington's rules (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).