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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Oklahoma is a genuine bargain: 4 of the 4 cities in this ranking come in below the national cost-of-living average. Oklahoma City leads at an index of 89 with rent at just $1,255/month — 34% less than the $1,895 national median. Here are the numbers, sourced from federal data updated in 2026.
702,767 residents · Oklahoma
In plain English: Dive into Oklahoma City's numbers: cost index 89 (23 points below national average), rent $1,255/month, income $66,702, and a home price of $203,329. The city's cost profile isn't flat — Housing is the cheapest category at 73, while Healthcare runs 92. As a major city with 702,767 residents, amenities and job markets are robust.
411,894 residents · Oklahoma
A closer look at Tulsa: the cost index of 89 breaks down to a Housing index of 73 (strongest category) and a Healthcare index of 92 (weakest). Median rent is $1,207/month — 36% below the national median — while household income sits at $58,407, meaning locals spend about 25% of income on rent. That's within the recommended 30% threshold, though it doesn't leave much room.
130,046 residents · Oklahoma
What does daily life actually cost in Norman? Start with the 24% rent-to-income ratio — that's the kind of margin that lets people build savings. And most of the time, on the category level, Housing (index 81) is where the real savings show up, while Healthcare (index 95) is the line item most likely to surprise newcomers. Income at $65,060 and homes at $257,977 round out a profile that ranks #3 for clear reasons (that's pre-tax, of course).
119,194 residents · Oklahoma
The #4 spot goes to Broken Arrow, and the breakdown explains why. Renters here pay $1,671/month — saving renters $2,688 per year compared to the national average. Meanwhile, Utilities is the standout at index 92, keeping costs manageable. The weak spot? Healthcare at 103. At a 24% rent-to-income ratio, there's genuine breathing room in the average household budget.
#1 Ranked: Oklahoma City — cost index 89, rent $1,255/mo, income $66,702
4 of 4 cities come in below the national cost-of-living average of 112
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
| Rank | City | Cost Index | Median Rent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma City | 89 | $1,255 | Details |
| 2 | Tulsa | 89 | $1,207 | Details |
| 3 | Norman | 92 | $1,289 | Details |
| 4 | Broken Arrow | 100 | $1,671 | Details |
Oklahoma is a genuine bargain: 4 of the 4 cities in this ranking come in below the national cost-of-living average. Oklahoma City leads at an index of 89 with rent at just $1,255/month — 34% less than the $1,895 national median. Here are the numbers, sourced from federal data updated in 2026.
Tax burden isn't just income tax. We combine three layers: state income tax (4.75% in Oklahoma City), combined state+local sales tax (8.97%), and effective property tax (0.82%). At 4.75% state income tax, the real differentiator becomes sales and property tax rates. On a $75,000 salary, the estimated take-home in #1 Oklahoma City is $54,147/year.
Oklahoma City earns its position at #1 through a combination that's hard to replicate. The 89 cost index sits 23 points below the national baseline, and the $66,702 median income means purchasing power here is amplified by the low cost base. Homes list at $203,329 — $264,041 below the national median — a genuine ownership opportunity. On the cost side, Housing leads the way at 73, while Healthcare trails at 92. An outlier in the best sense.
Bottom line: Oklahoma City leads this ranking for clear, data-backed reasons — but the "best" city depends on your priorities. Click into any city below to see the full detail page with 12-month trend charts, profession-specific salary data, and a breakdown of all five cost categories. If you're seriously considering a move, use our salary calculator to model your specific income against these numbers.
| City | State Tax | Sales Tax | Property Tax | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1Oklahoma City | 4.75% | 8.97% | 0.82% | $48,704 |
2Tulsa | 4.75% | 8.97% | 0.82% | $48,704 |
3Norman | 4.75% | 8.97% | 0.82% | $48,704 |
4Broken Arrow | 4.75% | 8.97% | 0.82% | $48,704 |
Cities are ranked by effective property tax rate within Oklahoma. Property taxes can vary significantly between municipalities even within the same state due to local levies, school districts, and assessment practices. All data is sourced from federal agencies and verified research institutions. Cost of living indices are normalized to 100 (national median) using Zillow rent as the primary signal, with sub-category adjustments derived from regional BLS price data. Rankings are updated monthly as new data is released.
Oklahoma City ranks #1 in Oklahoma for this analysis with a cost index of 89 and median income of $66,702.
Our cost of living index uses real Zillow rent data as the foundation, indexed to 100 (national median). Sub-categories (housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare) are derived from the overall index with regional adjustments. Data is updated monthly.
Oklahoma City (ranked #1) has a cost index of 89 and rent of $1,255/mo, while Broken Arrow (ranked #4) has a cost index of 100 and rent of $1,671/mo — a 11-point difference in cost of living.
City data is refreshed monthly from Census Bureau population estimates, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary data, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Last updated: 2026.
The median 1-bedroom rent in Oklahoma City is $1,255/month as of 2026, based on Zillow's Observed Rent Index. This is $640 below the national median of $1,895/month.
The median home price in Oklahoma City is $203,329, which is 3.0× the local median income. That's within the standard 3.5× affordability rule for most local earners. The national median home price is $467,370.
Oklahoma has a 4.75% state income tax rate. Combined state and local sales tax averages 8.97%, and the effective property tax rate is 0.82%.
This ranking was generated using data current as of early 2026. Population and income data comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year estimates). Rent and home price data is from Zillow's monthly releases. Tax rates are from the Tax Foundation's 2025 edition. Rankings are refreshed monthly.