City Comparison

Erie vs Oklahoma City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Erie

Pennsylvania
81
Very Affordable
$165,000
Median Home
$925/mo
Median Rent
$43,400
Median Income

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma
87
Below Average
$195,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$55,458
Median Income

The Verdict

6.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 6.9%, with Erie being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Erie has equivalent purchasing power to $80,556 in Oklahoma City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
55
Erie
68
Oklahoma City
Groceries
97
Erie
95
Oklahoma City
Utilities
109
Erie
92
Oklahoma City
Transportation
113
Erie
100
Oklahoma City
Healthcare
89
Erie
92
Oklahoma City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Erie has the same purchasing power as $80,556 in Oklahoma City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Oklahoma City equals $69,828 in Erie.

Living in Erie vs Oklahoma City

Housing Costs

Erie's housing index of 55 is lower Oklahoma City's 68, translating to median home prices of $165,000 vs $195,000. The $30,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,956 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Erie compared to $1,000/mo in Oklahoma City, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Erie and 95 in Oklahoma City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Erie vs $451/month in Oklahoma City. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 109 in Erie and 92 in Oklahoma City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Erie vs $368 in Oklahoma City. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 89 in Erie and 92 in Oklahoma City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $43,400 in Erie and $55,458 in Oklahoma City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,580 and $63,745 respectively. Oklahoma City residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,013/month to housing in Erie vs $1,294/month in Oklahoma City. In Erie, median rent of $925/mo fits within this budget. In Oklahoma City, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Erie is 6.9% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 87.
A $75,000 salary in Erie has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,556 in Oklahoma City, based on the cost of living difference.
Erie's housing index is 55 with median homes at $165,000, while Oklahoma City's is 68 with median homes at $195,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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