Cost of Living: Tulsa, OK vs Arlington, VA (2026)

Tulsa

Oklahoma
67
VS

Arlington

Virginia
203

Tulsa is 67% cheaper than Arlington.

$998/mo ↓ 56%
Median Rent
$2,275/mo ↑ 128%
$58,407/yr ↓ 58%
Median Income
$140,160/yr ↑ 140%
$189,600 ↓ 78%
Home Value
$864,800 ↑ 356%
$1,027/mo ↓ 57%
Owner Costs
$2,414/mo ↑ 135%
412,322
Population
235,463

Tax Comparison

4.75%
Income Tax
5.75%
4.5%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
0.9%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tulsa, OK and Arlington, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 203 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,277/month cheaper in Tulsa, saving renters about $15,324/year.

Median household income is $81,753/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tulsa is $189,600 compared to $864,800 in Arlington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Tulsa vs Arlington — common questions

Is Tulsa or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tulsa is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tulsa and Arlington?
Median rent in Tulsa is $998/month and in Arlington it's $2,275/month — a difference of $1,277/month.
Which city has higher income, Tulsa or Arlington?
Median household income is $58,407 in Tulsa and $140,160 in Arlington. Median household income is $81,753/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Oklahoma and Virginia?
Oklahoma has 4.75% income tax, 4.5% sales tax, and 0.9% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Tulsa or Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. Tulsa has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $998/mo, while Arlington has a cost index of 203 with rent of $2,275/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Tulsa details → View Arlington details →

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