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 $4,459 per month in New York, NY vs $2,189 in Tulsa, OK, rent included.

A couple spends around $6,988 per month in New York, NY vs $3,206 in Tulsa, OK, rent included.

A family of three spends $9,517 per month in New York, NY vs $4,224 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 234%, Tulsa, OK by 64%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
New York, NY
Tulsa, OK
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$30.11 $30.11
$17.32 $17.32
73.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$143 $143
$69.8 $69.8
104.57%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.67 $12.67
$10.14 $10.14
24.95%
Cappuccino
$6.07 $6.07
$4.98 $4.98
21.89%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.27 $3.27
$2.57 $2.57
27.24%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.60 $2.60
$1.77 $1.77
46.89%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.97 $7.97
$4.95 $4.95
61.01%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$12.18 $12.18
$6.44 $6.44
89.13%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
New York, NY
Tulsa, OK
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.54 $1.54
$1.13 $1.13
36.28%
White Bread (500g)
$5.07 $5.07
$3.72 $3.72
36.29%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$8.39 $8.39
$5.98 $5.98
40.30%
Eggs
$7.11 $7.11
$3.56 $3.56
99.72%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.70 $17.70
$10.67 $10.67
65.89%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$16.71 $16.71
$11.49 $11.49
45.43%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.85 $19.85
$14.81 $14.81
34.03%
Apples (1kg)
$7.38 $7.38
$4.07 $4.07
81.33%
Banana (1kg)
$2.56 $2.56
$1.79 $1.79
43.02%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.84 $5.84
$3.70 $3.70
57.84%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.35 $6.35
$4.09 $4.09
55.26%
Potato (1kg)
$3.75 $3.75
$2.75 $2.75
36.36%
Onion (1kg)
$4.06 $4.06
$3.33 $3.33
21.92%
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.14 $3.14
$1.87 $1.87
67.91%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.48 $2.48
$2.01 $2.01
23.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$18.70 $18.70
$9.44 $9.44
98.09%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.79 $19.79
$13.41 $13.41
47.58%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.02 $3.02
$1.77 $1.77
70.62%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.74 $3.74
$3.73 $3.73
0.27%
🚌 Getting Around
New York, NY
Tulsa, OK
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.85 $2.85
$1.72 $1.72
65.70%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$133 $133
$44.88 $44.88
197.17%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.94 $4.94
$1.99 $1.99
148.24%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.23 $2.23
$1.26 $1.26
76.98%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$42.11 $42.11
$29.59 $29.59
42.31%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.97 $0.97
$0.80 $0.80
21.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.8K $34.8K
$35.3K $35.3K
-1.25%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.7K $27.7K
$24.8K $24.8K
11.46%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
New York, NY
Tulsa, OK
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$180 $180
$228 $228
-20.79%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$60.4 $60.4
$57.5 $57.5
5.05%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$62.6 $62.6
$66.8 $66.8
-6.35%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
New York, NY
Tulsa, OK
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$142 $142
$47.63 $47.63
197.71%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$64.8 $64.8
$20.37 $20.37
217.92%
Cinema Ticket
$19.98 $19.98
$13.73 $13.73
45.52%
🧸 Childcare & Education
New York, NY
Tulsa, OK
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$3,220 $3,220
$1,060 $1,060
203.89%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$57.0K $57.0K
$24.9K $24.9K
129.32%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
New York, NY
Tulsa, OK
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.3 $67.3
$66.1 $66.1
1.88%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.36 $48.36
$47.48 $47.48
1.85%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$113 $113
$112 $112
0.51%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$171 $171
$120 $120
42.63%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
New York, NY
Tulsa, OK
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,136 $4,136
$1,132 $1,132
265.33%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,635 $2,635
$889 $889
196.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$8,333 $8,333
$1,748 $1,748
376.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$5,118 $5,118
$1,408 $1,408
263.34%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$18.7K $18.7K
$1,816 $1,816
926.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,464 $6,464
$1,653 $1,653
291.03%
💵 Salaries & Financials
New York, NY
Tulsa, OK
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,420 $5,420
$3,413 $3,413
58.79%
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: July 19, 2026

Last update for Tulsa, OK: July 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $4,136 in New York, NY versus $1,132 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 59% 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 $143 in New York, NY versus $70.0 in Tulsa, OK. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $555 vs $377 – 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
Which city is more expensive, New York, NY or Tulsa, OK?
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.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in New York, NY and in Tulsa, OK?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,688 per month in New York, NY and $3,283 in Tulsa, OK. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, New York, NY or Tulsa, OK?
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.
How do childcare costs compare in New York, NY and in Tulsa, OK?
Kindergarten costs $3,220 per month in New York, NY and $1,060 in Tulsa, OK. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in New York, NY or in Tulsa, OK?
Groceries cost about 47% 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.
Can you live on $2,000/month in New York, NY or in Tulsa, OK?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Tulsa, OK, where all-in costs run around $2,189, than in New York, NY at $4,459. In Tulsa, OK it covers expenses comfortably, while in New York, NY it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, New York, NY or Tulsa, OK?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Tulsa, OK costs $2,189 versus $4,459 in New York, NY. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to New York, NY or to Tulsa, OK?
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.

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