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

Tulsa

Oklahoma
67
VS

Abilene

Texas
71

Tulsa is 6% cheaper than Abilene.

$998/mo ↓ 10%
Median Rent
$1,106/mo ↑ 11%
$58,407/yr ↓ 7%
Median Income
$62,720/yr ↑ 7%
$189,600 ↑ 6%
Home Value
$178,900 ↓ 6%
$1,027/mo ↓ 8%
Owner Costs
$1,114/mo ↑ 8%
412,322
Population
127,130

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tulsa, OK and Abilene, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $108/month cheaper in Tulsa, saving renters about $1,296/year.

Median household income is $4,313/year higher in Abilene. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tulsa is $189,600 compared to $178,900 in Abilene.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Tulsa vs Abilene — common questions

Is Tulsa or Abilene cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tulsa is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 71 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tulsa and Abilene?
Median rent in Tulsa is $998/month and in Abilene it's $1,106/month — a difference of $108/month.
Which city has higher income, Tulsa or Abilene?
Median household income is $58,407 in Tulsa and $62,720 in Abilene. Median household income is $4,313/year higher in Abilene.
How do taxes compare between Oklahoma and Texas?
Oklahoma has 4.75% income tax, 4.5% sales tax, and 0.9% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Tulsa or Abilene?
It depends on your priorities. Tulsa has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $998/mo, while Abilene has a cost index of 71 with rent of $1,106/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Tulsa details → View Abilene details →

More Comparisons

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