Cost of Living: Tulsa, OK vs Fayetteville, NC (2026)

Tulsa

Oklahoma
67
VS

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73

Tulsa is 8% cheaper than Fayetteville.

$998/mo ↓ 15%
Median Rent
$1,179/mo ↑ 18%
$58,407/yr ↑ 4%
Median Income
$56,395/yr ↓ 3%
$189,600 ↑ 10%
Home Value
$171,900 ↓ 9%
$1,027/mo ↓ 11%
Owner Costs
$1,156/mo ↑ 13%
412,322
Population
209,692

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tulsa, OK and Fayetteville, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $181/month cheaper in Tulsa, saving renters about $2,172/year.

Median household income is $2,012/year higher in Tulsa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tulsa is $189,600 compared to $171,900 in Fayetteville.

North Carolina has a lower income tax rate, making Fayetteville slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tulsa vs Fayetteville — common questions

Is Tulsa or Fayetteville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tulsa is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 73 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tulsa and Fayetteville?
Median rent in Tulsa is $998/month and in Fayetteville it's $1,179/month — a difference of $181/month.
Which city has higher income, Tulsa or Fayetteville?
Median household income is $58,407 in Tulsa and $56,395 in Fayetteville. Median household income is $2,012/year higher in Tulsa.
How do taxes compare between Oklahoma and North Carolina?
Oklahoma has 4.75% income tax, 4.5% sales tax, and 0.9% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Tulsa or Fayetteville?
It depends on your priorities. Tulsa has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $998/mo, while Fayetteville has a cost index of 73 with rent of $1,179/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Tulsa details → View Fayetteville details →

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