Median rent is 15% lower in Oklahoma City ($1,130/mo vs $1,324/mo). Buying is cheaper in Oklahoma City, where the median home runs $231,300 versus $235,700. Households earn more in Oklahoma City ($68,656 vs $65,056 a year). Taken together, Oklahoma City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.4 against 94.3 — 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 94.3 in San Antonio (US national average = 100)
City A
Oklahoma City, OK
City B
San Antonio, TX
How much would you need to earn in San Antonio, TX to maintain your standard of living from Oklahoma City, OK?
Equivalent salary in San Antonio, TX
$77,365
You'd need $2,365 more (3% 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
San Antonio
Texas
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 $1,324/mo in San Antonio (15% gap). Median home values are within 2% of each other: $231,300 in Oklahoma City and $235,700 in San Antonio.
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
San Antonio
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Oklahoma City has cleaner air on average: 48.0 AQI (Good) compared to 71.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Oklahoma City if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,130/mo median).
Pick Oklahoma City if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 48.0).
Is Oklahoma City cheaper than San Antonio?
Oklahoma City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.4 versus 94.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 3% lower in Oklahoma City.
How much is rent in Oklahoma City vs San Antonio?
Median rent is $1,130/mo in Oklahoma City, OK and $1,324/mo in San Antonio, TX. Oklahoma City, OK has the lower rent by about 15%.
Which has higher salaries — Oklahoma City or San Antonio?
Median household income is $68,656 in Oklahoma City, OK and $65,056 in San Antonio, TX. 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?
Oklahoma City, OK has better air quality on average: 48.0 AQI versus 71.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Oklahoma City or San Antonio?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in San Antonio 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 $103,153 in San Antonio, TX (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
