Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs Tulsa, OK (2026)

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Tulsa

Oklahoma
67

Louisville is 10% more expensive than Tulsa.

$1,069/mo ↑ 7%
Median Rent
$998/mo ↓ 7%
$64,731/yr ↑ 11%
Median Income
$58,407/yr ↓ 10%
$221,500 ↑ 17%
Home Value
$189,600 ↓ 14%
$1,118/mo ↑ 9%
Owner Costs
$1,027/mo ↓ 8%
627,210
Population
412,322

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
4.75%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.5%
0.83%
Property Tax
0.9%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Tulsa, OK, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 67 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $71/month cheaper in Tulsa, saving renters about $852/year.

Median household income is $6,324/year higher in Louisville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $189,600 in Tulsa.

Kentucky has a lower income tax rate, making Louisville slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Tulsa — common questions

Is Louisville or Tulsa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tulsa is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 74 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Tulsa?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Tulsa it's $998/month — a difference of $71/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Tulsa?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $58,407 in Tulsa. Median household income is $6,324/year higher in Louisville.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and Oklahoma?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Oklahoma has 4.75% income tax, 4.5% sales tax, and 0.9% property tax.
Should I move to Louisville or Tulsa?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/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 Louisville details → View Tulsa details →

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