Cost of Living in Oklahoma
Things cost about ▼ 12% less in Oklahoma than the national average.
What Things Cost in Oklahoma
Compared to the US national average
See raw index numbers
US national average = 100. Source: BEA Regional Price Parities 2023.
Oklahoma is one of the cheapest states in the country, with a cost of living about 13% below the national average and housing roughly 30% below. Oklahoma City has transformed itself with major investment in downtown (the Bricktown district, the Thunder NBA team, and a revitalized riverwalk), offering legitimate metro amenities at prices that are hard to believe. Tulsa has launched a nationally covered program paying remote workers $10,000 to relocate, betting that people who experience the city's low costs and growing cultural scene will stay.
Oklahoma at a Glance
Taxes in Oklahoma
Oklahoma's state income tax tops out at Up to 4.75%. The combined sales tax averages 4.5%, which is relatively low. Property taxes run about 0.87% of home value, which on a $172,000 median home means roughly $1,496/year.
Cities in Oklahoma
Ranked from least to most expensive. Index 100 = national average.
Explore Oklahoma
FAQ About Oklahoma
Yes. Oklahoma is about 13% below the national average, with housing roughly 30% cheaper. The median home price of about $172,000 is less than half the national figure. Oklahoma City and Tulsa both offer full metro experiences at a fraction of the cost of most American cities. The main financial caveat is combined sales tax rates that can exceed 9%.
Tulsa has been making a strong case. The Tulsa Remote program pays qualified remote workers $10,000 to relocate, and the city backs it up with genuinely affordable housing, a revitalized downtown, the Gathering Place park, and a growing arts and restaurant scene. The cost of living is well below the national average. Tornado risk and weather extremes are the main lifestyle downsides.
Oklahoma has a graduated income tax up to 4.75%, a state sales tax of 4.5% that often exceeds 9% with local additions, and property taxes averaging about 0.87%. The combined sales tax is the main sticker shock: some areas charge close to 11%. Social Security is not taxed by the state.