CostIndexUSA

Mesa, AZ vs Tulsa, OK Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AZ
Mesa
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
More AffordableOK
Tulsa
89.2
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Tulsa is moderately cheaper than Mesa — 13.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Mesa, you would need $69,100 in Tulsa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing43.7%
Mesa
121.2
Tulsa
68.2
🛒 Groceries1.3%
Mesa
95
Tulsa
93.8
🚗 Transportation8.2%
Mesa
109.2
Tulsa
100.2
🏥 Healthcare8.2%
Mesa
98.8
Tulsa
90.7
Utilities20.8%
Mesa
93.3
Tulsa
73.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tulsa, OK
$69,100
$10,900 less needed in Tulsa

Formula: salary × (89.2 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 0.8635. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Mesa, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Tulsa, OK

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

Mesa has 43.7% lower housing costs compared to Tulsa.

Income & Job Market

Mesa, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
518,012
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareRetailManufacturingAerospace

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).

Mesa, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.