What it actually costs to live in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma’s cost-of-living index sits at 87 on the MERIC composite (national average = 100), ranking #48 of 51 jurisdictions for cost. That means a standard basket of goods + services in Oklahoma costs about 13% LESS than the US average. Median home price: $285,000. Population-weighted median rent across metros: $866/mo.
Oklahoma cost components
| Component | Oklahoma | National avg |
|---|---|---|
| COL index (basket) | 87 | 100 |
| Median home price | $285,000 | ~$420,000 |
| Median rent (pop-weighted) | $866/mo | ~$1,850/mo |
| Commute cost (proxy) | $171/mo | ~$185/mo |
Commute cost = avg metro commute minutes × $0.18/min × 2 trips × 22 work days. Refined BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey integration tracked for v1.
How Oklahoma compares
Of all 51 US jurisdictions, Oklahoma ranks #48 for cost. That puts Oklahoma among the 10 most affordable — typical relocation candidates from CA/NY/MA looking for housing relief land here. For the live state-vs-state heat map see the interactive cost-of-living map.
Oklahoma metros — city-level cost
State averages hide major intra-state variation. Oklahoma City has very different housing dynamics than smaller Oklahoma metros. Click any city for the full home affordability breakdown.
- Oklahoma CityCOL 88 · home $230,000rent $848/mo →
- TulsaCOL 86 · home $205,000rent $875/mo →
- NormanCOL 88 · home $235,000rent $1,000/mo →
More Oklahoma metros coming as we expand city coverage.
Oklahoma cost of living — common questions
What is the cost of living in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma's MERIC cost-of-living index is 87 (national average = 100). That means a typical basket of goods + services in Oklahoma costs about 13% less than the US average.
What is the median home price in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma's state-level median home price is approximately $285,000 (Census ACS 2024). Metros vary significantly — see the top-metro list below for city-level breakdowns.
What is the median rent in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma's population-weighted median rent across metros in our dataset is approximately $866/mo. Major-metro rents typically run 30-80% above this state-level average.
Are there any Oklahoma-specific cost-of-living quirks?
Oklahoma COL index ~86 — among the lowest 5 nationally; Oklahoma City and Tulsa offer big-city amenities at low housing costs (median ~$210k).
Reviewed by CalcFi Editorial · COL source: MERIC quarterly; home + rent: Census ACS 2024. Last verified 2026-04-19.