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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Dollar for dollar, these cities represent some of the best deals in America. 2 out of 2 cities undercut the national cost index of 112. Leading the pack: Oklahoma City at index 89, where median rent of $1,255/month saves renters $7,680/year versus the national median.
Dollar for dollar, these cities represent some of the best deals in America. 2 out of 2 cities undercut the national cost index of 112. Leading the pack: Oklahoma City at index 89, where median rent of $1,255/month saves renters $7,680/year versus the national median.
The numbers for Oklahoma City are straightforward: 89 on the cost index, $1,255/month rent, $66,702 income. And in practical terms, not the most exciting entry in the list, but solid. That's about what we'd expect given the state context.
The ranking uses a composite of 2026 data from Census Bureau population/income surveys, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary benchmarks, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Oklahoma City (index 89, rent $1,255); Las Vegas (index 106, rent $1,695). Each city profile below links to the full detail page with 12-month trends, salary breakdowns, and cost category comparisons.
Now apply that to an actual budget: Nationally, the 288 cities in our database average a cost index of 112 — we had to double-check this one — , rent of $1,895/month, and household income of $80,367. The cities in this ranking significantly outperform those benchmarks. If two cities have the same income, this cost gap is the tiebreaker. Solidly above average.
Bottom line: Oklahoma City, OK leads this ranking for clear, data-backed reasons — but the "best" city depends on your priorities. And from what we can tell, 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.
#1 Ranked: Oklahoma City, OK — cost index 89, rent $1,255/mo, income $66,702
2 of 2 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 CityOK | 89 | $1,255 | Details |
| 2 | Las VegasNV | 106 | $1,695 | Details |
702,767 residents · Oklahoma
Here's Oklahoma City by the numbers — and there's a lot to like (and a little to watch). Cost index: 89. Rent: $1,255/month. Income: $66,702/year. Home price: $203,329. Population: 702,767. The strongest category is Housing at 73; the most expensive is Healthcare at 92. Translate that rent to annual numbers, and residents are saving renters $7,680 per year vs. the national median. If you've ever felt priced out, the numbers here offer a different path.
660,929 residents · Nevada
Las Vegas earns its position at #2 through a combination that's hard to replicate. The 106 cost index sits 6 points below the national baseline, and the $70,723 median income means purchasing power here is amplified by the low cost base. Fairly typical for a city this size. Homes list at $422,842 — $44,528 below the national median — a genuine ownership opportunity. On the cost side, Utilities leads the way at 98, while Housing trails at 116.
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 Las Vegas (ranked #2) has a cost index of 106 and rent of $1,695/mo — a 17-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.
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.