Side-by-side comparison of home prices, mortgage payments, and housing costs between Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Using Oklahoma's 0.88% property tax rate and $3,600/year insurance. Updated for 2026.
Tulsa edges out Oklahoma City in affordability, saving you roughly $136/month on total housing costs. Both cities are in Oklahoma, so property tax rates and insurance costs are the same — the difference comes down to home prices and what you get for your money in each market.
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI. Uses Oklahoma's 0.88% property tax rate.
Buying in Tulsa saves you approximately $136/month ($1,632/year) compared to Oklahoma City, based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Tulsa is the better choice for first-time buyers, with a median price of $205K versus $225K in Oklahoma City. That's $20K less to save for a down payment. You'd need roughly $7K for an FHA 3.5% down payment in Tulsa, compared to $8K in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma offers the OHFA Homebuyer DPA program (Up to 3.5% DPA) which applies in both cities.
Tulsa has the better price-to-rent ratio at 16.3x versus 16.7x in Oklahoma City. A lower ratio generally signals better rental income relative to purchase price. Average rent in Tulsa is $1,050/month on a $205K median home, making it a stronger candidate for buy-and-rent investors.
Oklahoma City (pop. 681,054) offers more amenities, schools, and services typical of a larger city, while Tulsa (pop. 413,066) may offer a quieter, more community-oriented lifestyle. Families on a budget may prefer Tulsa, where lower housing costs free up more income for childcare, education, and savings.