Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Tulsa, OK Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Tulsa, OK

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,438 per month in New York, NY vs $2,174 in Tulsa, OK, rent included.

A couple spends around $7,016 per month in New York, NY vs $3,199 in Tulsa, OK, rent included.

A family of three spends $9,593 per month in New York, NY vs $4,225 in Tulsa, OK, rent included.

New York, NY costs about 104% more than Tulsa, OK, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both New York, NY and Tulsa, OK sit above the global median – New York, NY by 231%, Tulsa, OK by 62%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$29.91 $29.91

$16.82 $16.82

77.82%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$144 $144

$70.7 $70.7

103.52%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.32 $12.32

$10.19 $10.19

20.90%

Cappuccino

$6.03 $6.03

$4.98 $4.98

21.08%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.39 $3.39

$2.65 $2.65

27.92%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.56 $2.56

$1.80 $1.80

42.22%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.20 $8.20

$4.93 $4.93

66.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$11.95 $11.95

$6.45 $6.45

85.27%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.54 $1.54

$1.13 $1.13

36.28%

White Bread (500g)

$5.15 $5.15

$3.74 $3.74

37.70%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$8.43 $8.43

$6.11 $6.11

37.97%

Eggs

$6.97 $6.97

$3.59 $3.59

94.15%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.28 $17.28

$10.88 $10.88

58.82%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.24 $16.24

$11.33 $11.33

43.34%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.95 $19.95

$14.99 $14.99

33.09%

Apples (1kg)

$7.45 $7.45

$4.18 $4.18

78.23%

Banana (1kg)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.78 $1.78

35.96%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.87 $5.87

$3.76 $3.76

56.12%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.31 $6.31

$4.09 $4.09

54.28%

Potato (1kg)

$3.72 $3.72

$2.77 $2.77

34.30%

Onion (1kg)

$3.99 $3.99

$3.33 $3.33

19.82%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.19 $3.19

$1.83 $1.83

74.32%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.99 $1.99

28.14%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$19.09 $19.09

$9.37 $9.37

103.74%

Wine (Bottle)

$20.24 $20.24

$11.90 $11.90

70.08%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.99 $2.99

$1.77 $1.77

68.93%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.87 $3.87

$3.83 $3.83

1.04%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.95 $2.95

$1.78 $1.78

65.73%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$131 $131

$45.84 $45.84

185.03%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.13 $5.13

$1.96 $1.96

161.73%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.20 $2.20

$1.26 $1.26

74.60%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$42.64 $42.64

$30.15 $30.15

41.43%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.95 $0.95

$0.75 $0.75

26.67%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$34.5K $34.5K

$35.6K $35.6K

-3.19%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$28.2K $28.2K

$24.9K $24.9K

13.48%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$182 $182

$231 $231

-21.42%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$60.1 $60.1

$58.0 $58.0

3.53%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.9 $61.9

$65.9 $65.9

-6.00%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$140 $140

$48.39 $48.39

189.36%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$64.4 $64.4

$20.03 $20.03

221.57%

Cinema Ticket

$20.33 $20.33

$13.58 $13.58

49.71%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$3,222 $3,222

$1,077 $1,077

199.06%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$56.2K $56.2K

$25.2K $25.2K

123.43%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$65.9 $65.9

$63.9 $63.9

3.24%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.20 $47.20

$46.27 $46.27

2.01%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$111 $111

$113 $113

-2.00%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$173 $173

$120 $120

44.06%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,208 $4,208

$1,149 $1,149

266.21%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,647 $2,647

$899 $899

194.58%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$8,415 $8,415

$1,746 $1,746

381.88%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$5,170 $5,170

$1,428 $1,428

262.09%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$20.1K $20.1K

$1,805 $1,805

1013.55%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$8,742 $8,742

$1,662 $1,662

426.01%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,144 $5,144

$3,424 $3,424

50.20%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.44

6.56

-1.83%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for New York, NY: April 20, 2026

Last update for Tulsa, OK: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $4,208 in New York, NY versus $1,149 in Tulsa, OK. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 50% higher in New York, NY, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $144 in New York, NY versus $71 in Tulsa, OK. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $554 vs $375 – making Tulsa, OK the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

New York, NY vs Tulsa, OK: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

New York, NY costs about 104% more than Tulsa, OK, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,657 per month in New York, NY and $3,260 in Tulsa, OK. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Tulsa, OK, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $3,222 per month in New York, NY and $1,077 in Tulsa, OK. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 48% more in New York, NY, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Tulsa, OK, where all-in costs run around $2,174, than in New York, NY at $4,438. In Tulsa, OK it covers expenses comfortably, while in New York, NY it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Tulsa, OK costs $2,174 versus $4,438 in New York, NY. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Tulsa, OK. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, New York, NY makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.