Lincoln vs Tulsa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Lincoln
Tulsa
💡 The Verdict
Tulsa is 6% cheaper than Lincoln overall. A $75,000 salary in Lincoln is equivalent to $70,833 in Tulsa.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Lincoln (left) vs Tulsa (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Lincoln versus Tulsa. Differences shown from Lincoln perspective.
| Item | Lincoln | Tulsa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $780/mo | $710/mo | +$70.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,090/mo | $950/mo | +$140.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,420/mo | $1,260/mo | +$160.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.46 | $2.80 | $-0.34 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.64 | $3.47 | +$0.17 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.00 | $3.03 | $-0.03 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.18 | $5.24 | $-0.06 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.08 | $3.35 | $-0.27 |
| Restaurant Meal | $16.08 | $13.48 | +$2.60 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has the same purchasing power as $70,833 in Tulsa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tulsa equals $79,412 in Lincoln.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $1050 difference is driven by Nebraska having a higher state income tax rate. Nebraska details → · Oklahoma details →
Reading These Numbers: Lincoln (90) vs Tulsa (85)
Lincoln at 90 is 10% below the US average, while Tulsa at 85 is 15% below average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In Lincoln, the composite index of 90 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 82, followed by groceries (93), utilities (84), transportation (84), and healthcare (91). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,090/mo in Lincoln and $950/mo in Tulsa, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,680.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $8,400.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $84,000.0 difference in median home prices between Lincoln and Tulsa translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Lincoln vs Tulsa
Choosing between Lincoln and Tulsa involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
When weighing Lincoln against Tulsa, think beyond the composite index. Your personal savings rate, retirement timeline, and family size all influence which cost categories dominate your budget. Someone spending sixty percent of income on housing and childcare will experience these two cities very differently than a single renter whose largest variable expense is dining out. Model your own spending breakdown against the category indices above for the most realistic comparison.