Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Tulsa, OK (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Tulsa

Oklahoma
67

Nashville is 64% more expensive than Tulsa.

$1,486/mo ↑ 49%
Median Rent
$998/mo ↓ 33%
$75,197/yr ↑ 29%
Median Income
$58,407/yr ↓ 22%
$383,100 ↑ 102%
Home Value
$189,600 ↓ 51%
$1,471/mo ↑ 43%
Owner Costs
$1,027/mo ↓ 30%
684,298
Population
412,322

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.75%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
4.5%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.9%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Tulsa, OK, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 67 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $488/month cheaper in Tulsa, saving renters about $5,856/year.

Median household income is $16,790/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $189,600 in Tulsa.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Tulsa — common questions

Is Nashville or Tulsa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tulsa is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Tulsa?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Tulsa it's $998/month — a difference of $488/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Tulsa?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $58,407 in Tulsa. Median household income is $16,790/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Oklahoma?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Oklahoma has 4.75% income tax, 4.5% sales tax, and 0.9% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Tulsa?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/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 Nashville details → View Tulsa details →

More Comparisons

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