Is it cheaper to live in Tulsa or West Valley City?

Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below West Valley City, UT's $1,330, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Tulsa than in West Valley City?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Tulsa versus $48,000 in West Valley City.

Which has lower taxes, Tulsa or West Valley City?

Tulsa is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); West Valley City under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Tulsa vs West Valley City Cost of Living 2026

Tulsa

Oklahoma

$1,030/mo est.

West Valley City

Utah

$1,330/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,030 in Tulsa, OK versus $1,330 in West Valley City, UT. Overall, Tulsa, OK is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than West Valley City, UT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $58,407 in Tulsa, OK and $88,604 in West Valley City, UT — about 34% higher in West Valley City, UT. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Tulsa, OK

West Valley City, UT

Rent

Studio

$786

$1,085

+38% in West Valley City, UT

1 Bedroom

$847

$1,191

+41% in West Valley City, UT

2 Bedroom

$1,045

$1,333

+28% in West Valley City, UT

3 Bedroom

$1,265

$1,723

+36% in West Valley City, UT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$189,600

$377,300

+99% in West Valley City, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$58,407

$88,604

+52% in West Valley City, UT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,670

$55,240

+18% in West Valley City, UT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.5 yr

30.3 yr

+5.2 yr in Tulsa, OK

Homeownership

52.0%

71.1%

+19.1 pp in West Valley City, UT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.3%

15.7%

+17.6 pp in Tulsa, OK

Avg Commute

18.7 min

22.2 min

+3.5 min in West Valley City, UT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

948.9

471.8

+50% in Tulsa, OK

Property Crime

3,664.6

1,855.5

+49% 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

60.1°F

52.8°F

+7.3°F in Tulsa, OK

Annual Precipitation

43.7 in

16.1 in

+27.6 in in Tulsa, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in West Valley City, UT

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.3

13.4

+7% in Tulsa, OK

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.25

$11.84

+62% in Tulsa, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in West Valley City, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in West Valley City, UT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Tulsa, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in West Valley City, UT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in West Valley City, UT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in West Valley City, UT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OK / UT)

4.5%

6.1%

+1.6 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

4.50%

about equal

Tulsa vs West Valley City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Tulsa or West Valley City?: Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below West Valley City, UT's $1,330, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Tulsa than in West Valley City?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Tulsa versus $48,000 in West Valley City.
Which has lower taxes, Tulsa or West Valley City?: Tulsa is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); West Valley City under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).