Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
11% cheaper
Tulsa is 11% more affordable than Houston. A $75,000 salary in Houston is equivalent to $66,406 in Tulsa.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Texas salaries · Oklahoma salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Houston has a housing index of 89 while Tulsa sits at 63 (national average = 100). The median home in Houston costs $250,000 compared to $175,000 in Tulsa, a difference of $75,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Houston versus $950 in Tulsa.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Houston scores 94 while Tulsa scores 95.
Healthcare costs in Houston (96) are higher than Tulsa (91).
Median household income in Houston is $52,338 compared to $48,278 in Tulsa. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Tulsa.
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