Is it cheaper to live in Tacoma or Tulsa?

Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $53,000 a year in Tacoma versus $34,000 in Tulsa.

Which has lower taxes, Tacoma or Tulsa?

Tacoma 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).

Tacoma vs Tulsa Cost of Living 2026

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tacoma, WA versus $1,020 in Tulsa, OK. Overall, Tulsa, OK is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $83,857 in Tacoma, WA and $58,407 in Tulsa, OK — about 30% higher in Tacoma, 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.

Tacoma, WA

Tulsa, OK

Rent

Studio

$1,178

$786

+33% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,332

$847

+36% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,693

$1,045

+38% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$2,094

$1,265

+40% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$454,600

$189,600

+58% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$83,857

$58,407

+30% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$72,610

$46,670

+36% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.3 yr

35.5 yr

+1.8 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

56.5%

52.0%

+4.5 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.5%

33.3%

+0.2 pp in Tacoma, WA

Avg Commute

29.0 min

18.7 min

+10.3 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,064.4

948.9

+11% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

5,695.2

3,664.6

+36% in Tacoma, WA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.1°F

60.1°F

+8.0°F in Tulsa, OK

Annual Precipitation

43.0 in

43.7 in

+0.7 in in Tulsa, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.12/gal

$3.94/gal

+23% in Tacoma, WA

Area: Washington vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

13.4

+11% in Tacoma, 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 Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Tulsa, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Tacoma, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Tacoma, 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

Tacoma vs Tulsa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Tacoma or Tulsa?: Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Tacoma than in Tulsa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $53,000 a year in Tacoma versus $34,000 in Tulsa.
Which has lower taxes, Tacoma or Tulsa?: Tacoma 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).