Is it cheaper to live in Tulsa or Wichita?

Wichita, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Tulsa, OK's $1,020, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Tulsa or Wichita?

Tulsa is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Wichita under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Tulsa vs Wichita Cost of Living 2026

Tulsa

Oklahoma

$1,020/mo est.

Wichita

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,020 in Tulsa, OK versus $940 in Wichita, KS. Overall, Wichita, KS is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tulsa, OK, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $58,407 in Tulsa, OK and $63,072 in Wichita, KS — about 7% higher in Wichita, KS. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Tulsa, OK

Wichita, KS

Rent

Studio

$786

$726

+8% in Tulsa, OK

1 Bedroom

$847

$761

+10% in Tulsa, OK

2 Bedroom

$1,045

$976

+7% in Tulsa, OK

3 Bedroom

$1,265

$1,199

+5% in Tulsa, OK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$189,600

$179,500

+5% in Tulsa, OK

Income

Median Household Income

$58,407

$63,072

+8% in Wichita, KS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,670

$47,630

+2% in Wichita, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.5 yr

35.7 yr

+0.2 yr in Wichita, KS

Homeownership

52.0%

58.4%

+6.4 pp in Wichita, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.3%

30.9%

+2.4 pp in Tulsa, OK

Avg Commute

18.7 min

18.9 min

+0.2 min in Wichita, KS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

948.9

1,238.7

+31% in Wichita, KS

Property Crime

3,664.6

5,284.9

+44% in Wichita, KS

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

57.0°F

+3.1°F in Tulsa, OK

Annual Precipitation

43.7 in

32.6 in

+11.1 in in Tulsa, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.4

15.1

+13% in Wichita, KS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.15

$25.12

+7% in Tulsa, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Wichita, KS

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Tulsa, OK

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Wichita, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Wichita, KS

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Wichita, KS

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OK / KS)

4.5%

6.5%

+2.0 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.50%

5.58%

+1.1 pp in KS

Tulsa vs Wichita — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Tulsa or Wichita?: Wichita, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Tulsa, OK's $1,020, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Tulsa than in Wichita?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Tulsa versus $30,000 in Wichita.
Which has lower taxes, Tulsa or Wichita?: Tulsa is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Wichita under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% 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).