Median rent is 10% lower in Oklahoma City ($1,130/mo vs $1,251/mo). Buying is cheaper in Oklahoma City, where the median home runs $231,300 versus $315,700. Households earn more in Oklahoma City ($68,656 vs $56,631 a year). Taken together, New Orleans is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.2 against 91.4 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Oklahoma City, OK.
City A
New Orleans, LA
City B
Oklahoma City, OK
How much would you need to earn in Oklahoma City, OK to maintain your standard of living from New Orleans, LA?
Equivalent salary in Oklahoma City, OK
$75,206
You'd need $206 more (0% higher).
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
New Orleans
Louisiana
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
Median rent is modestly lower in Oklahoma City at $1,130/mo compared to $1,251/mo in New Orleans (10% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in New Orleans: the median home is $315,700 versus $231,300 in Oklahoma City — 27% more expensive.
Metric
New Orleans
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.
New Orleans
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Oklahoma City
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Oklahoma City has cleaner air on average: 48.0 AQI (Good) compared to 52.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Oklahoma City if you prioritize higher median household income ($68,656/yr).
New Orleans is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.2 versus 91.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in New Orleans.
Median rent is $1,251/mo in New Orleans, LA and $1,130/mo in Oklahoma City, OK. Oklahoma City, OK has the lower rent by about 10%.
Median household income is $56,631 in New Orleans, LA and $68,656 in Oklahoma City, OK. Oklahoma City, OK has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Oklahoma City, OK has better air quality on average: 48.0 AQI versus 52.0 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 New Orleans, LA is equivalent to roughly $100,275 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
