Is it cheaper to live in Tulsa or Worcester?

Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Worcester, MA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Tulsa versus $41,000 in Worcester.

Which has lower taxes, Tulsa or Worcester?

Tulsa is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Tulsa vs Worcester Cost of Living 2026

Tulsa

Oklahoma

$1,030/mo est.

Worcester

Massachusetts

$1,340/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 $1,340 in Worcester, MA. Overall, Tulsa, OK is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Worcester, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $58,407 in Tulsa, OK and $67,544 in Worcester, MA — about 14% higher in Worcester, MA. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Tulsa, OK

Worcester, MA

Rent

Studio

$786

$1,087

+38% in Worcester, MA

1 Bedroom

$847

$1,028

+21% in Worcester, MA

2 Bedroom

$1,045

$1,476

+41% in Worcester, MA

3 Bedroom

$1,265

$1,675

+32% in Worcester, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$189,600

$339,500

+79% in Worcester, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$58,407

$67,544

+16% in Worcester, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,670

$57,830

+24% in Worcester, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.5 yr

34.1 yr

+1.4 yr in Tulsa, OK

Homeownership

52.0%

42.4%

+9.6 pp in Tulsa, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.3%

34.1%

+0.8 pp in Worcester, MA

Avg Commute

18.7 min

25.1 min

+6.4 min in Worcester, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

948.9

640.2

+33% in Tulsa, OK

Property Crime

3,664.6

1,580.3

+57% 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

47.9°F

+12.2°F in Tulsa, OK

Annual Precipitation

43.7 in

48.1 in

+4.3 in in Worcester, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.07/gal

+6% in Worcester, MA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Massachusetts.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.3

29.6

+107% in Worcester, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.25

$30.66

+2% in Tulsa, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Worcester, MA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Worcester, MA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Tulsa, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Worcester, MA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Worcester, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Worcester, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OK / MA)

4.5%

6.25%

+1.8 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

4.50%

9.00%

+4.5 pp in MA

Tulsa vs Worcester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Tulsa or Worcester?: Tulsa, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Worcester, MA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Tulsa than in Worcester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Tulsa versus $41,000 in Worcester.
Which has lower taxes, Tulsa or Worcester?: Tulsa is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).