Living Cost Compare
green grass field near mountains under blue sky and white clouds during daytime — South Central

Cost of Living in the South Central

Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana & Arkansas

Photo: Mick Haupt / Unsplash

The South Central — Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana & Arkansas — covers 15 cities we track across 4 states. Median one-bedroom rent across those cities is $1,019 — 10% lower than the $1,130 median across the 6 regions we track.

The cheapest city we track in the South Central is El Paso, TX, at $816/mo for a one-bedroom; the priciest is Austin, TX, at $1,457/mo. Median household income across the region's tracked cities is $62,917, about the same as the $65,767 median across all regions.

Region Medians

Median 1BR Rent
$1,019
Median Home Value
$224,500
Median Income
$62,917

Medians across the 15 cities we track in the South Central — not a population-weighted regional figure.

States in the South Central

ArkansasLouisianaOklahomaTexas

Cities in the South Central

South Central cost of living — FAQ

Is the South Central expensive to live in?
The South Central is among the more affordable of the 6 US regions we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $1,019 ranks #5 of 6 and is 10% lower than the $1,130 median.
What is the cheapest city to live in in the South Central?
El Paso, TX is the cheapest of the cities we track in the South Central, with a one-bedroom rent of $816 a month.
What is the most expensive city in the South Central?
Austin, TX is the priciest of the cities we track in the South Central, with a one-bedroom rent of $1,457 a month.
Which states are in the South Central?
We track cities in 4 states in the South Central: Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana & Arkansas.

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).