Cost of Living: San Jose, CA vs Tulsa, OK (2026)

San Jose

California
254
VS

Tulsa

Oklahoma
67

San Jose is 279% more expensive than Tulsa.

$2,617/mo ↑ 162%
Median Rent
$998/mo ↓ 62%
$141,565/yr ↑ 142%
Median Income
$58,407/yr ↓ 59%
$1,187,800 ↑ 526%
Home Value
$189,600 ↓ 84%
$2,775/mo ↑ 170%
Owner Costs
$1,027/mo ↓ 63%
990,054
Population
412,322

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.75%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.5%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.9%

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Tulsa, OK, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 67 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,619/month cheaper in Tulsa, saving renters about $19,428/year.

Median household income is $83,158/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $189,600 in Tulsa.

Oklahoma has a lower income tax rate, making Tulsa slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Tulsa — common questions

Is San Jose or Tulsa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tulsa is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Tulsa?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Tulsa it's $998/month — a difference of $1,619/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Tulsa?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $58,407 in Tulsa. Median household income is $83,158/year higher in San Jose.
How do taxes compare between California and Oklahoma?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Oklahoma has 4.75% income tax, 4.5% sales tax, and 0.9% property tax.
Should I move to San Jose or Tulsa?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 San Jose details → View Tulsa details →

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