Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Tulsa, OK (2026)

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Tulsa

Oklahoma
67

Austin is 100% more expensive than Tulsa.

$1,655/mo ↑ 66%
Median Rent
$998/mo ↓ 40%
$91,461/yr ↑ 57%
Median Income
$58,407/yr ↓ 36%
$512,700 ↑ 170%
Home Value
$189,600 ↓ 63%
$1,747/mo ↑ 70%
Owner Costs
$1,027/mo ↓ 41%
967,862
Population
412,322

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.75%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.5%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.9%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Tulsa, OK, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 67 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $657/month cheaper in Tulsa, saving renters about $7,884/year.

Median household income is $33,054/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $189,600 in Tulsa.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin residents a significant tax advantage over Oklahoma's 4.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Tulsa — common questions

Is Austin or Tulsa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tulsa is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Tulsa?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Tulsa it's $998/month — a difference of $657/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Tulsa?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $58,407 in Tulsa. Median household income is $33,054/year higher in Austin.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Oklahoma?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Oklahoma has 4.75% income tax, 4.5% sales tax, and 0.9% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or Tulsa?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Tulsa has a cost index of 67 with rent of $998/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Tulsa details →

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