Median rent is 1% lower in Oklahoma City ($1,130/mo vs $1,145/mo). Buying is cheaper in Oklahoma City, where the median home runs $231,300 versus $266,200. Households earn more in Oklahoma City ($68,656 vs $57,073 a year). Taken together, Tucson is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 89.9 against 91.4 — about 2% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Oklahoma City, OK.
Cost of living verdict
Tucson is 2% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 89.9 in Tucson vs 91.4 in Oklahoma City (US national average = 100)
City A
Oklahoma City, OK
City B
Tucson, AZ
How much would you need to earn in Tucson, AZ to maintain your standard of living from Oklahoma City, OK?
Equivalent salary in Tucson, AZ
$73,729
You could earn $1,271 less (2% 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
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma
Tucson
Arizona
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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,130/mo in Oklahoma City and $1,145/mo in Tucson. Median home values are within 13% of each other: $231,300 in Oklahoma City and $266,200 in Tucson.
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
Tucson
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Tucson has cleaner air on average: 26.0 AQI (Good) compared to 48.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Oklahoma City if you prioritize higher median household income ($68,656/yr).
Pick Tucson if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 26.0).
Is Oklahoma City cheaper than Tucson?
Tucson is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 89.9 versus 91.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 2% lower in Tucson.
How much is rent in Oklahoma City vs Tucson?
Median rent is $1,130/mo in Oklahoma City, OK and $1,145/mo in Tucson, AZ. Oklahoma City, OK has the lower rent by about 1%.
Which has higher salaries — Oklahoma City or Tucson?
Median household income is $68,656 in Oklahoma City, OK and $57,073 in Tucson, AZ. 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?
Tucson, AZ has better air quality on average: 26.0 AQI versus 48.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Oklahoma City or Tucson?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Tucson 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 $98,305 in Tucson, AZ (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
