Are you planning to make a move to terrific Tulsa, Oklahoma? If yes, knowing what the various living costs in Tulsa, OK are is vital information you need to know! These costs will impact your life, at least financially, in more ways than you can imagine. They include things like housing costs, transportation costs, and even the cost of healthcare.
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
The Cost of Living in Tulsa, OK, is Affordable
It’s always great to start with good news, especially when it comes to money and finances. Today’s good news is that, at 83/100, living in Tulsa is almost 20% cheaper than the national average. That’s 20% more of your hard-earned money you’ll get to keep every month! Also, compared to other modern metropolitan cities with similar amenities, Tulsa is really affordable. For example, New York City is 87% higher than the national average, San Diego is 60% higher, and Boston is 62% higher. Again, Tulsa has very similar amenities, culture, entertainment, and much more, but living here will cost you much less.
Transportation Costs in Tulsa Are Affordable
Another considerable expense, especially if you’re still working, is transportation. This includes the cost to fill your vehicle with gasoline, vehicle maintenance, tolls, repairs, and more. You’ll pay 10% less than the national average for those things in Tulsa, which is always good. One reason is likely the fact that the commuting time in Tulsa is relatively low. Just over 18 minutes is the average here, while the national average is almost 27 minutes according to the Census Bureau. That amounts to nearly 20 minutes a day or 100 a week, which is nearly 2 hours! Over a year, that extrapolates to over 110 hours or almost five days! We think you’ll agree; that’s a nice chunk of extra time you get to spend not staring at traffic.
Housing Costs in Tulsa, OK, Are Affordable
One of the main reasons that the cost of living in Tulsa, OK is so affordable is the cost of housing, which is surprisingly low. Think about it this way; you’ll pay 50% less than the national average for housing when you live here! That’s phenomenal, and it makes Tulsa incredibly attractive, especially for young-ish families.
The median home cost in Tulsa, according to Best Places, is $118,700. That’s over $100,000 lower the national average of $231,200 and far lower than many other large cities. (Don’t even ask what the housing costs are in LA or NYC!) Yes, some of the other cost indexes are higher, it’s true. But when your mortgage is dirt cheap, you’ll have money to spare for all your other expenses.
Storage Units in Tulsa, OK Are Affordable
If you’re moving to Tulsa but don’t have a home yet, you might need to put your things in a storage unit. The good news is SecurCare Self Storage’s Tulsa storage units are affordable, clean, and safe. We have 18 storage facilities in Tulsa, OK! Questions? Chat online anytime with one of our friendly managers!
Miscellaneous Costs in Tulsa Are Average
When looking at cost indexes, many people forget to include miscellaneous expenses when trying to see the whole cost of living in Tulsa, OK, but they shouldn’t. These costs do, indeed, add up, and for some people, they add up quickly. Luckily, in Tulsa, miscellaneous expenses sit at precisely the national average, so they’re not more expensive. Just FYI, the IRS defines miscellaneous expenses as any expense that doesn’t fit into a specific tax category. They include things like:
- Clothing
- Entertainment
- Computers
- Work uniforms
- Personal hygiene products
- Travel
- Professional Service Fees
Grocery Costs in Tulsa, OK Are Affordable
There’s no doubt that one of the most significant monthly expenses for most people and families is groceries. Food, drinks, snacks, and so forth are vital, obviously, and eat up a big chunk of anyone’s income. While Tulsa won’t win any awards for the lowest grocery costs in the U.S., 5% less still helps. If, for example, you spend $500.00 on groceries every month, that, $25.00 in savings. Over an entire year, that adds up to $300.00 or 2-week’s worth of meals for you and your family. For many American families, that’s a positive when considering the cost of living in a city like Tulsa, OK.
Healthcare Costs in Tulsa, OK Are Expensive
For many folks, especially seniors and retirees, healthcare costs are an essential factor. Unfortunately, doctor visits and medical procedures aren’t cheap, no matter where you live. In Tulsa, though, they’re only 10% higher than the national average. That’s not the best news, but it’s far from the worst when considering the cost of living in Tulsa, OK. In New York, New Jersey, and Alaska, for example, you’ll pay significantly more for health insurance, hospital stays, etc.
Utility Costs in Tulsa Are Affordable
Today’s final cost index is utility costs, which, while not expensive, aren’t super cheap either. (Compared to New York or LA, they are, but that’s a different story.) You’ll save 4% over what the average American is paying, which is better than nothing and a major positive when considering the cost of living in Tulsa, OK. Most of what you’ll pay for is heating, as it gets cold in Tulsa for about half the year. (We don’t get much snow here, though, which is good news for many!) In any event, the cost for utilities won’t send your budget into a state of shock.
Overall, Tulsa, Oklahoma, is An Excellent City!
After running through the details on the cost of living in Tulsa, OK it’s safe to say that Tulsa is an affordable city, especially when considering housing costs. We’re SecurCare, the self-storage experts in Oklahoma! We have storage units all over Tulsa that are clean, safe and secure, and ready for anything you need to store! We wish you all the best here in Tulsa. We hope you love living and working here as much as we do!
