Oklahoma · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Tulsa County, OK

The median household in Tulsa County, OK earns $69,009 a year ($5,751/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,217/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $48,680 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 10.8% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$69,009$5,751 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,217HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)89.2-10.8% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.3¢per kWh · EIA Residential OK
Census Population680,794Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Tulsa County, OK

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,217Monthly market rent
Share of gross income21.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$48,680To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,725At 30% of $69,009
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Tulsa County, OK

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Tulsa, OK HUD Metro FMR Area. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Tulsa County, OK
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$933$11,196$37,32016.2%
1-Bedroom Apartment$987$11,844$39,48017.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,217$14,604$48,68021.2%
3-Bedroom Home$1,602$19,224$64,08027.9%
4-Bedroom Home$1,858$22,296$74,32032.3%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Tulsa County, OK →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Tulsa County, OK

Based on the local median household income of $69,009/year ($5,751/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,875/moRent ($1,217 2-BR), utilities (~$129/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,725/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 89.2 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,150/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Oklahoma

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Oklahoma state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$69,009
$25,000$140,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$69,009
Net 79%
Fed 9%
OK 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$54,818After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,568Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,108Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,352 / yr
Oklahoma state income tax$2,560 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,279 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Oklahoma with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Tulsa County, OK

What is the median household income in Tulsa County, OK?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Tulsa County, OK is $69,009 per year (approximately $5,751 per month).

What is the average rent in Tulsa County, OK?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Tulsa County, OK are $933 for a studio, $987 for 1 bedroom, $1,217 for 2 bedrooms, $1,602 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,858 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Tulsa County, OK compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Tulsa County, OK is 89.2 (10.8% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Tulsa County, OK?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,217/month) in Tulsa County, OK requires a minimum gross household income of $48,680 per year ($4,057 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Tulsa County, OK?

For a typical household earning the median income of $69,009/year ($5,751/month) in Tulsa County, OK, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,875/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,725/month to discretionary spending, and $1,150/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Tulsa County, OK?

Residential electricity rates in Oklahoma average 14.3¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $129 per month.