Cost of Living for Oklahoma (2026)
Oklahoma (OK) Key Facts
Cost of Living Index
87
National Average Index
100
Median Household Income
$55,000
Approximate Median Rent (1 B R)
$800/month
State Income Tax Rate
4.75%
How This Calculator Works in Oklahoma
This cost of living calculator helps you compare salaries between Oklahoma and other states or cities by adjusting for purchasing power differences. Enter a salary and a target location to see what equivalent income you would need. It uses Oklahoma's cost of living index of 87 relative to the national average of 100 to provide an accurate comparison.
Oklahoma Overview
Oklahoma has a cost of living index of 87, where 100 represents the national average. Oklahoma has one of the lowest costs of living in the nation, with very affordable housing. Oklahoma City and Tulsa are modestly more expensive but still well below the national average. The median household income is $55,000, which has a purchasing power equivalent of approximately $63,218 in an average-cost location.
How Oklahoma Compares
Oklahoma's cost of living index of 87 compares to Texas's 92 and Kansas's 89. Residents in Oklahoma benefit from lower costs compared to the national average, meaning salaries stretch further here. The most affordable states like Mississippi (84) cost roughly 4% less than Oklahoma, while the most expensive like Hawaii (192) cost 121% more.
| State | Top Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | COL Index: 92 | Texas has a cost of living index of 92 and a median household income of $67,000. It is more expensive than Oklahoma. |
| Kansas | COL Index: 89 | Kansas has a cost of living index of 89 and a median household income of $64,000. It is more expensive than Oklahoma. |
| Arkansas | COL Index: 87 | Arkansas has a cost of living index of 87 and a median household income of $52,000. It has a similar cost of living to Oklahoma. |
The national average cost of living index is 100. Oklahoma's index of 87 is below the national average. States like Mississippi (84) and West Virginia (84) have the lowest cost of living, while Hawaii (192) and DC (148) have the highest. Oklahoma's median household income of $55,000 should be evaluated alongside its cost of living to understand real purchasing power.
Tips for Oklahoma Residents
- 1Oklahoma has one of the lowest costs of living in the nation, with very affordable housing. Oklahoma City and Tulsa are modestly more expensive but still well below the national average.
- 2Oklahoma's median household income of $55,000 has a real purchasing power of about $63,218 when adjusted to the national average. Compare this figure, not the raw salary, when evaluating cross-state moves or job offers.
- 3Oklahoma's top state income tax rate of 4.75% further reduces purchasing power beyond what the cost of living index alone shows. Factor in taxes when making state-to-state comparisons.
- 4When comparing job offers between states, adjust salaries by the cost of living index. A $60,000 salary in a state with an index of 90 provides more purchasing power than $70,000 in a state with an index above 105.
- 5Look beyond the state average — costs can vary dramatically within Oklahoma between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities. Research the specific city or county where you would live.