Median rent is 42% lower in Oklahoma City ($1,130/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in Oklahoma City, where the median home runs $231,300 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($81,939 vs $68,656 a year). Taken together, Oklahoma City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.4 against 114.7 — about 20% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Oklahoma City, OK.
Cost of living verdict
Oklahoma City is 20% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.4 in Oklahoma City vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Los Angeles, CA
City B
Oklahoma City, OK
How much would you need to earn in Oklahoma City, OK to maintain your standard of living from Los Angeles, CA?
Equivalent salary in Oklahoma City, OK
$59,768
You could earn $15,232 less (20% 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
Los Angeles
California
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 $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, a 42% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $231,300 in Oklahoma City — 75% more expensive.
Metric
Los Angeles
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.
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Oklahoma City
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Los Angeles 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 114.7).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($81,939/yr).
Pick Oklahoma City if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,130/mo median).
Pick Los Angeles 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 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 20% lower in Oklahoma City.
Median rent is $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $1,130/mo in Oklahoma City, OK. Oklahoma City, OK has the lower rent by about 42%.
Median household income is $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA and $68,656 in Oklahoma City, OK. Los Angeles, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Los Angeles, CA 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 Los Angeles, CA is equivalent to roughly $79,691 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
