Median rent is 10% lower in Oklahoma City ($1,130/mo vs $1,261/mo). Buying is cheaper in Pittsburgh, where the median home runs $205,800 versus $231,300. Households earn more in Oklahoma City ($68,656 vs $65,742 a year). Taken together, Oklahoma City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.4 against 94.7 — about 3% 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 3% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.4 in Oklahoma City vs 94.7 in Pittsburgh (US national average = 100)
City A
Oklahoma City, OK
City B
Pittsburgh, PA
How much would you need to earn in Pittsburgh, PA to maintain your standard of living from Oklahoma City, OK?
Equivalent salary in Pittsburgh, PA
$77,675
You'd need $2,675 more (4% 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
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma
Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania
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 $1,261/mo in Pittsburgh (10% gap). Median home values are within 11% of each other: $231,300 in Oklahoma City and $205,800 in Pittsburgh.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Oklahoma City
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Pittsburgh
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Pittsburgh has cleaner air on average: 34.0 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 94.7).
Pick Pittsburgh if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 34.0).
Is Oklahoma City cheaper than Pittsburgh?
Oklahoma City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.4 versus 94.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 3% lower in Oklahoma City.
How much is rent in Oklahoma City vs Pittsburgh?
Median rent is $1,130/mo in Oklahoma City, OK and $1,261/mo in Pittsburgh, PA. Oklahoma City, OK has the lower rent by about 10%.
Which has higher salaries — Oklahoma City or Pittsburgh?
Median household income is $68,656 in Oklahoma City, OK and $65,742 in Pittsburgh, PA. Oklahoma City, OK 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?
Pittsburgh, PA has better air quality on average: 34.0 AQI versus 48.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Oklahoma City or Pittsburgh?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Pittsburgh to match my Oklahoma City income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Oklahoma City, OK is equivalent to roughly $103,566 in Pittsburgh, PA (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
