CostIndexUSA

Denver, CO vs Tulsa, OK Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Denver
105.8
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableOK
Tulsa
89.2
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Tulsa is significantly cheaper than Denver — 15.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Denver, you would need $67,400 in Tulsa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing53.6%
Denver
146.9
Tulsa
68.2
🛒 Groceries7.1%
Denver
101
Tulsa
93.8
🚗 Transportation4.0%
Denver
104.4
Tulsa
100.2
🏥 Healthcare4.0%
Denver
94.5
Tulsa
90.7
Utilities15.9%
Denver
87.9
Tulsa
73.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Denver to see what you'd need to earn in Tulsa to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Tulsa, OK
$67,400
$12,600 less needed in Tulsa

Formula: salary × (89.2 ÷ 105.8) = salary × 0.8431. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Denver, CO

Median Home Price
$559,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
146.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.2×

Tulsa, OK

Median Home Price
$243,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
68.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.0×

Denver has 53.6% lower housing costs compared to Tulsa.

Income & Job Market

Denver, CO

Median Household Income
$103,100
Per Capita Income
$58,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
715,522
Top Industries
TechnologyAerospaceEnergyHealthcareTourism

Tulsa, OK

Median Household Income
$65,600
Per Capita Income
$37,400
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
Population
413,066
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareFinanceManufacturingAerospace

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Denver, CO
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Tulsa, OK
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.