Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Cleveland and Tulsa have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Ohio salaries · Oklahoma salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Cleveland has a housing index of 59 while Tulsa sits at 63 (national average = 100). The median home in Cleveland costs $100,000 compared to $175,000 in Tulsa, a difference of $75,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $900 in Cleveland versus $950 in Tulsa.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Cleveland scores 99 while Tulsa scores 95. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Cleveland (96) are higher than Tulsa (91).
Median household income in Cleveland is $32,053 compared to $48,278 in Tulsa. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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