Median rent is 22% lower in Oklahoma City ($1,130/mo vs $1,440/mo). Buying is cheaper in Oklahoma City, where the median home runs $231,300 versus $334,100. Households earn more in Chicago ($77,902 vs $68,656 a year). Taken together, Oklahoma City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.4 against 102.5 — about 11% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
Oklahoma City is 11% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.4 in Oklahoma City vs 102.5 in Chicago (US national average = 100)
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Oklahoma City, OK
How much would you need to earn in Oklahoma City, OK to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
Equivalent salary in Oklahoma City, OK
$66,920
You could earn $8,080 less (11% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Chicago
Illinois
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Oklahoma City — median rent of $1,130/mo versus $1,440/mo in Chicago, a 22% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $334,100 versus $231,300 in Oklahoma City — 31% more expensive.
Metric
Chicago
Oklahoma City
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Chicago
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Oklahoma City
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Chicago has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 48.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Oklahoma City if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 91.4 vs 102.5).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($77,902/yr).
Pick Oklahoma City if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,130/mo median).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 31.0).
Oklahoma City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.4 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 11% lower in Oklahoma City.
Median rent is $1,440/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,130/mo in Oklahoma City, OK. Oklahoma City, OK has the lower rent by about 22%.
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago, IL and $68,656 in Oklahoma City, OK. Chicago, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Chicago, IL has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 48.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chicago, IL is equivalent to roughly $89,227 in Oklahoma City, OK (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
