United States
Cost of living in Oklahoma
Oklahoma's economy is shaped in large part by oil and gas, and the energy sector influences both the job market and the general price structure across the state. At an RPP of 87.8, Oklahoma ties Iowa at 48th nationally, with prices 12.2 percent below the US average. Housing is where that gap is most visible: Oklahoma City and Tulsa both rank among the most affordable major metros in the country for their population size, with median home prices far below the national figure. The income tax is progressive with a top rate of 4.75 percent, reaching that ceiling above just $7,200 of taxable income for single filers, so most workers hit the top bracket quickly. The single standard deduction of $6,350 is larger than several neighboring states, which meaningfully reduces the taxable base before the rate applies. State sales tax is 4.5 percent, one of the lower base rates nationally, though local additions vary by city.
Price level
87.8
US = 100
National rank
49th
of 51, dearest first
Income tax
4.75%
top rate
Sales tax
4.5%
state base rate
What your salary is worth in Oklahoma
Because prices here sit at 87.8 against the national 100, the same paycheck stretches differently than it would elsewhere. These figures hold buying power constant: the salary listed is what you would need in Oklahoma to live as you would on the reference amount in another place.
| Same lifestyle as | $60,000 | $100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| US average | $52,680 | $87,800 |
| California (dearest) | $47,588 | $79,313 |
| Arkansas (cheapest) | $60,621 | $101,036 |
Compare Oklahoma with anywhere in the US
To live the same in California you need
$88,257
to match $70,000 in Oklahoma
Price level, US = 100
The equivalent salary keeps your purchasing power constant: it is your pay scaled by the ratio of the two price levels. Regional Price Parities measure what a fixed basket of goods and services costs locally. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.
Oklahoma in context
Energy-sector employment in Oklahoma, spanning extraction, refining, and related services, generates wages in some occupations that sit above what the general price level would predict, creating pockets of strong purchasing power particularly in the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metros. Both cities carry housing costs that are genuinely low by national standards, not just modestly below average. The 4.5 percent state sales tax compares favorably to Kansas at 6.5 percent and Tennessee at 7 percent, keeping everyday transaction costs in check. The $6,350 standard deduction softens the impact of the low income threshold at which the 4.75 percent top rate applies. Rural areas in the Panhandle and southeastern corner of the state are cheaper again, with property costs among the lowest in the central US. The overall package suits workers in energy, healthcare, and logistics who want large-metro access without large-metro housing costs.
The closest state above Oklahoma on price is Iowa at 87.8. Just below sits Mississippi at 87.
Frequently asked questions
Is Oklahoma expensive to live in?
Oklahoma sits at a price level of 87.8 where the US average is 100, so a typical basket of goods and services costs about 12% less than the national norm. That ranks it 49th most expensive of 51 states. Housing is usually the largest single driver of the gap.
What salary do you need in Oklahoma?
To match the buying power of $60,000 earned at the US average, you would need about $52,680 in Oklahoma. The figure scales with the price level: a place dearer than average needs more, a cheaper one needs less. Your own number also depends on housing choice and household size.
How much tax does Oklahoma charge?
Oklahoma applies a top state income-tax rate of 4.75% and a base state sales tax of 4.5%. 2025 single-filer brackets; single standard deduction $6,350. Top rate 4.75% over $7,200. State sales tax 4.50%. Local jurisdictions can add their own sales tax on top.
Cost of living in other states
Price levels are Regional Price Parities from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities (SARPP, MARPP), 2024 (public domain). State tax figures are the latest published rates from state revenue departments. All figures are estimates for general comparison and not financial advice; your own costs depend on housing, household size and lifestyle.