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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 leads at an index of 73 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.
#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
Oklahoma is a genuine bargain: 4 of the 4 cities in this ranking come in below the national cost-of-living average. Oklahoma leads at an index of 73 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.
Oklahoma comes in at #1. Rent is $1,255 a month. Household income is $66,702. The cost of living index is 73. Not the most exciting stat, but it matters.
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.
702,767 residents · Oklahoma
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 — we had to double-check this one — 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.
411,894 residents · Oklahoma
Dive into Tulsa's numbers: cost index 70 (41 points below national average), rent $1,207/month, income $58,407, and a home price of $212,757. The city's cost profile isn't flat — Housing is the cheapest category at 70, while Healthcare runs 94. With 411,894 residents, it balances mid-size city convenience with manageable costs.
130,046 residents · Oklahoma
Why Norman ranks #3: 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.
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, Housing is the standout at index 98, keeping costs manageable. The weak spot? Healthcare at 100. At a 24% rent-to-income ratio, there's genuine breathing room in the average household budget.
| City | State Tax | Sales Tax | Property Tax | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1Oklahoma | 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 |
Total tax burden = state income tax rate + combined sales tax rate + effective property tax rate. We rank cities from lowest combined burden to highest. Keep in mind property tax and sales tax are local-level, so two cities in the same state can differ meaningfully. 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 Broken Arrow (ranked #4) has a cost index of 98 and rent of $1,671/mo — a 25-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.