CostIndexUSA

Santa Cruz, CA vs Tulsa, OK Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Santa Cruz
109.9
overall index
$3,425/mo rent
More AffordableOK
Tulsa
89.2
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Tulsa is significantly cheaper than Santa Cruz — 18.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Santa Cruz, you would need $64,900 in Tulsa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing58.5%
Santa Cruz
164.3
Tulsa
68.2
🛒 Groceries10.8%
Santa Cruz
105.2
Tulsa
93.8
🚗 Transportation4.8%
Santa Cruz
105.3
Tulsa
100.2
🏥 Healthcare4.8%
Santa Cruz
95.3
Tulsa
90.7
Utilities51.6%
Santa Cruz
152.7
Tulsa
73.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tulsa, OK
$64,900
$15,100 less needed in Tulsa

Formula: salary × (89.2 ÷ 109.9) = salary × 0.8116. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Santa Cruz, CA

Median Home Price
$1,091,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,425
Housing Index
164.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.5×

Tulsa, OK

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

Santa Cruz has 58.5% lower housing costs compared to Tulsa.

Income & Job Market

Santa Cruz, CA

Median Household Income
$105,600
Per Capita Income
$60,200
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
Population
64,725
Top Industries
EducationTechnologyTourismAgricultureHealthcare

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).

Santa Cruz, CA
2.6×income-to-rent ratio

61% 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.