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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
The numbers are clear: 4 of 4 cities in Oklahoma beat the national cost-of-living benchmark of 111. Oklahoma stands out at 73 on the index, with rent of $1,255/month and household income of $66,702. Assembled from 2026 Census, Zillow, and BLS data.
The numbers are clear: 4 of 4 cities in Oklahoma beat the national cost-of-living benchmark of 111. Oklahoma stands out at 73 on the index, with rent of $1,255/month and household income of $66,702. Assembled from 2026 Census, Zillow, and BLS data.
Oklahoma earns its position at #1 through a combination that's hard to replicate. The 73 cost index sits 38 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 95.
The state-level view adds helpful context here. And as far as the data shows, state context matters: Oklahoma's 4 cities average a 79 cost index with $1,356/month — we had to double-check this one — median rent and $68,847 household income. Energy economy and persistently low costs. But it's not #1 for the reason you might think (and that gap widens if you factor in state taxes).
Bottom line: Oklahoma 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 (a figure that keeps climbing, by the way).
#1 Ranked: Oklahoma — cost index 73, rent $1,255/mo, income $66,702
4 of 4 cities come in below the national cost-of-living average of 111
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
702,767 residents · Oklahoma
What does daily life actually cost in Oklahoma? Start with the 23% rent-to-income ratio — that's the kind of margin that lets people build savings. And as far as the data shows, on the category level, Housing (index 73) is where the real savings show up, while Healthcare (index 95) is the line item most likely to surprise newcomers. Income at $66,702 and homes at $203,329 round out a profile that ranks #1 for clear reasons.
119,194 residents · Oklahoma
Broken Arrow comes in at #2. Rent is $1,671 a month. Household income is $85,220. The cost of living index is 98. Not the most exciting stat, but it matters.
411,894 residents · Oklahoma
The #3 spot goes to Tulsa, and the breakdown explains why. Renters here pay $1,207/month — saving renters $8,256 per year compared to the national average. Meanwhile, Housing is the standout at index 70, making it one of the cheapest in the country for that category. The weak spot? Healthcare at 94. A 25% rent-to-income ratio keeps most households inside the safe zone.
130,046 residents · Oklahoma
Why Norman ranks #4: the numbers tell a clear story. At 75 on the cost index, residents save roughly 36% less than the typical American. Rent sits at $1,289/month while the median household pulls in $65,060/year. The Housing category is particularly strong at 75, though Healthcare (95) lags behind. Home prices average $257,977 — $209,393 below the national median.
| City | State Tax | Sales Tax | Property Tax | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1Oklahoma | 4.75% | 8.97% | 0.82% | $48,704 |
2Broken Arrow | 4.75% | 8.97% | 0.82% | $48,704 |
3Tulsa | 4.75% | 8.97% | 0.82% | $48,704 |
4Norman | 4.75% | 8.97% | 0.82% | $48,704 |
We divide median home price by median household income for each city in Oklahoma. A ratio of 3× means a home costs 3 years of gross income — generally considered affordable. Ratios above 5× signal a stretched market. 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 ranks #1 in Oklahoma for this analysis with a cost index of 73 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 (ranked #1) has a cost index of 73 and rent of $1,255/mo, while Norman (ranked #4) has a cost index of 75 and rent of $1,289/mo — a 2-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 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 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.