Median rent is 25% lower in Oklahoma City ($1,130/mo vs $1,509/mo). Buying is cheaper in Oklahoma City, where the median home runs $231,300 versus $303,000. Households earn more in Fort Worth ($79,507 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. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Fort Worth, TX.
Cost of living verdict
Oklahoma City is 11% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.4 in Oklahoma City vs 102.5 in Fort Worth (US national average = 100)
City A
Fort Worth, TX
City B
Oklahoma City, OK
How much would you need to earn in Oklahoma City, OK to maintain your standard of living from Fort Worth, TX?
Equivalent salary in Oklahoma City, OK
$66,918
You could earn $8,082 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
Fort Worth
Texas
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 $1,509/mo in Fort Worth, a 25% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Fort Worth: the median home is $303,000 versus $231,300 in Oklahoma City — 24% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Fort Worth
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Oklahoma City
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Oklahoma City (avg AQI 48.0) but not yet for Fort Worth.
Pick Oklahoma City if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 91.4 vs 102.5).
Pick Fort Worth if you prioritize higher median household income ($79,507/yr).
Pick Oklahoma City if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,130/mo median).
Is Fort Worth cheaper than Oklahoma City?
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.
How much is rent in Fort Worth vs Oklahoma City?
Median rent is $1,509/mo in Fort Worth, TX and $1,130/mo in Oklahoma City, OK. Oklahoma City, OK has the lower rent by about 25%.
Which has higher salaries — Fort Worth or Oklahoma City?
Median household income is $79,507 in Fort Worth, TX and $68,656 in Oklahoma City, OK. Fort Worth, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Fort Worth or Oklahoma City?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Oklahoma City to match my Fort Worth income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Fort Worth, TX is equivalent to roughly $89,223 in Oklahoma City, OK (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
