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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Tulsa

Oklahoma
67

El Paso and Tulsa have a similar cost of living.

$1,041/mo ↑ 4%
Median Rent
$998/mo ↓ 4%
$58,734/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$58,407/yr ≈ Same
$171,700 ↓ 9%
Home Value
$189,600 ↑ 10%
$1,044/mo ↑ 2%
Owner Costs
$1,027/mo ↓ 2%
678,147
Population
412,322

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Tulsa, OK, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 67 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $327/year higher in El Paso. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $189,600 in Tulsa.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Tulsa — common questions

Is El Paso or Tulsa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tulsa is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 67 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Tulsa?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Tulsa it's $998/month — a difference of $43/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Tulsa?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $58,407 in Tulsa. Median household income is $327/year higher in El Paso.
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 El Paso or Tulsa?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/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 El Paso details → View Tulsa details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Tulsa

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