A good salary in Oklahoma provides excellent purchasing power due to the state’s very low cost of living and affordable housing.
Quick Answer
| Situation | Good Salary | Comfortable Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Single, OK average | $45,000-$58,000 | $35,000-$45,000 |
| Single in Oklahoma City | $48,000-$62,000 | $38,000-$48,000 |
| Single in Tulsa | $46,000-$60,000 | $36,000-$46,000 |
| Family of 4 | $72,000-$92,000 | $58,000-$72,000 |
Key advantage: Oklahoma’s cost of living is 13% below the national average with very affordable housing.
Why Oklahoma Is Affordable
Oklahoma benefits from:
- Very low housing costs (median home price ~$195,000)
- Low property taxes (0.87% effective rate)
- Affordable utilities and groceries
- Diversified economy (energy, aerospace, healthcare)
Good Salary by Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is the state capital and largest metro.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $32,000 | $55,000 |
| Comfortable | $45,000 | $72,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $60,000+ | $95,000+ |
Median home price: ~$235,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$1,000/month
Tulsa
Tulsa offers affordable living with a growing downtown scene.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $30,000 | $52,000 |
| Comfortable | $42,000 | $68,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $55,000+ | $90,000+ |
Median home price: ~$210,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$950/month
Norman
Norman is a college town (OU) just south of Oklahoma City.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $32,000 | $55,000 |
| Comfortable | $45,000 | $72,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $58,000+ | $92,000+ |
Median home price: ~$255,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$1,000/month
Edmond
Edmond is an upscale OKC suburb with higher costs.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $35,000 | $60,000 |
| Comfortable | $48,000 | $78,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $65,000+ | $105,000+ |
Median home price: ~$320,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$1,150/month
To see what a Oklahoma salary buys, use the mortgage affordability calculator.
Oklahoma vs. Other States
| State | $55K Salary Take-Home | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $45,800 | 87 |
| Texas | $46,500 | 93 |
| Arkansas | $45,200 | 86 |
| Kansas | $45,000 | 88 |
Oklahoma’s affordable cost of living maximizes value.
Oklahoma State Income Tax
Oklahoma has a graduated income tax:
- Top rate of 4.5% on taxable income over $7,200 (single) from tax year 2026, down from 4.75%
- The 2025 reform (HB 2764) also cut the number of brackets from six to three
- No tax on Social Security benefits
Top Industries in Oklahoma
- Oil & Gas — Average salary $80,000+
- Aerospace/Aviation (Tinker AFB, American Airlines) — Average salary $70,000+
- Healthcare — Average salary $60,000+
- Technology (growing) — Average salary $75,000+
- Agriculture — Average salary $45,000+
- Manufacturing — Average salary $50,000+
Oklahoma Lifestyle Considerations
Pros:
- Very affordable living
- Low property taxes
- Growing economy
- Friendly communities
- Four distinct seasons
Cons:
- Severe weather (tornadoes)
- Hot summers
- Limited public transportation
- Some areas have limited job options
Related Guides
- What is a good salary in Texas?
- What is a good salary in Arkansas?
- How much house on a $50K salary?
- US Income Percentile Calculator
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.” bls.gov/oes
Related guides
Part of the good salary guide.
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