Moving from Oklahoma City, OK to Tulsa, OK
About 4,230 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020), and 4,729 go the other way. Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Tulsa, OK.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 20.8% of income in Oklahoma City, OK and 20.8% in Tulsa, OK.
Oklahoma City, OK Tulsa, OK (monthly)
| Monthly | Oklahoma City, OK | Tulsa, OK | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,211 | $1,211 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $217 | $217 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $4,623 | $4,623 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,040 | $1,007 | −$33 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,040 | $1,007 | −$33 |
| Food | $413 | $413 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 93.8 | $413 | $413 | $0 |
| Transportation | $164 | $164 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.11/gal (Midwest (PADD)) | $164 | $164 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $21 | $21 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 4.5% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $21 | $21 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $946 | $946 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 93.8 | $469 | $469 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 95.5 | $477 | $477 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $2,038 | $2,071 | +$33 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 15.9% of income in Oklahoma City, OK and 15.9% in Tulsa, OK.
Oklahoma City, OK Tulsa, OK (monthly)
| Monthly | Oklahoma City, OK | Tulsa, OK | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,587 | $1,587 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $352 | $352 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $8,413 | $8,413 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,264 | $1,229 | −$35 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,264 | $1,229 | −$35 |
| Childcare | $1,633 | $1,639 | +$6 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $187/wk, school-age $122/wk (2022 prices, Tulsa County, OK); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $1,633 | $1,639 | +$6 |
| Food | $1,203 | $1,203 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 93.8 | $1,203 | $1,203 | $0 |
| Transportation | $329 | $329 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.11/gal (Midwest (PADD)) | $329 | $329 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $21 | $21 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 4.5% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $21 | $21 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $946 | $946 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 93.8 | $469 | $469 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 95.5 | $477 | $477 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $3,017 | $3,046 | +$29 |
Oklahoma City, OK vs Tulsa, OK at a glance
| Measure | Oklahoma City, OK | Tulsa, OK |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 90.4 | 89.2 |
| Housing price level | 73.9 | 68.2 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,040 | $1,007 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,264 | $1,229 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,713 | $1,611 |
| Median home value | $230,000 | $221,700 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 0.94% | 0.86% |
| Median household income | $72,094 | $69,359 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $215 | $216 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 4.5% | 4.5% |
| Regular gasoline | $4.11 | $4.11 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $141 | $141 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Tulsa, OK to keep my Oklahoma City, OK lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Oklahoma City, OK, about $69,399 in Tulsa, OK (−0.9%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $119,545. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Tulsa, OK cheaper than Oklahoma City, OK?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Tulsa, OK is at 89.2 and Oklahoma City, OK at 90.4 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have +$33 a month in Tulsa, OK.
How many people move from Oklahoma City, OK to Tulsa, OK?+
About 4,230 people a year (±501), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020); about 4,729 move the other way.
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.