salaryTulsa is the 2nd-largest city in Oklahoma that we track, with 413,794 residents. Rent is lower than in 76% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.2 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 18.9 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $48,160 a year. That is $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Oklahoma cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Oklahoma. It is number 54 of 75 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Tulsa with other big cities
Compare Tulsa to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Tulsa?
Share of households by yearly income. 20.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Tulsa
| Size | Tulsa | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $870 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $933 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,160 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,384 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,509 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Tulsa overall?
Everyday prices in the Tulsa metro area are 11% below the U.S. average (index 89.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Tulsa
Life in Tulsa
What jobs pay in Tulsa
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $140,820 | 10.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $139,460 | 10.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $134,380 | 10.8% |
| Software Developer | $108,730 | 13.3% |
| Lawyer | $108,220 | 13.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $102,080 | 14.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $101,460 | 14.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,350 | 14.4% |
| Operations Manager | $96,150 | 15.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $84,790 | 17.0% |
| Accountant | $81,320 | 17.8% |
| Police Officer | $64,190 | 22.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $63,130 | 22.9% |
| Electrician | $62,280 | 23.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $59,820 | 24.2% |
| Plumber | $59,440 | 24.3% |
| Truck Driver | $58,790 | 24.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,750 | 24.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $48,220 | 30.0% |
| Firefighter | $47,600 | 30.4% |
| Carpenter | $46,810 | 30.9% |
| Medical Assistant | $39,440 | 36.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,560 | 37.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $36,980 | 39.1% |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,720 | 39.3% |
| Restaurant Cook | $33,410 | 43.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $29,810 | 48.5% |
| Cashier | $29,180 | 49.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $18,350 | 78.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Tulsa?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $220 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $205,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $20,530 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Tulsa, OK?
Renting in Tulsa costs a median of about $1,204 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Oklahoma median is $1,069.
How much do I need to make to live in Tulsa?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $48,160 a year, or $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Tulsa cheap or expensive?
Tulsa is rated OK: rent takes 22.4% of the typical household income of $64,535. It ranks 54th cheapest of 75 Oklahoma cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Tulsa?
The median homeowner in Tulsa pays $2,005 a year in property taxes, about 0.98% of the median home value.
Is Tulsa more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 11% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Tulsa?
The median home value in Tulsa is $205,300, about 3.2 times the typical yearly household income.
413,794 people live in Tulsa. Numbers are typical (middle) values.