Question 1

Is Los Angeles or Oklahoma City cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Oklahoma City, OK is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $1,692/month less than in Los Angeles, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $2,903/mo in Los Angeles versus $1,244/mo in Oklahoma City.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Los Angeles vs Oklahoma City?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $105,000/year before tax in Los Angeles, CA and $66,000/year in Oklahoma City, OK — a difference of about $39,000. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Los Angeles or Oklahoma City cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Oklahoma City, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $12,135/month in Los Angeles and $8,589/month in Oklahoma City, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Los Angeles or Oklahoma City?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Oklahoma City costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Los Angeles49	Oklahoma City75
Est. monthly cost (single)	$5,329	$3,637
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$12,135	$8,589
Salary for comfort	$105,000/yr	$66,000/yr
Typical rent	$2,903	$1,244
Median home value	$879,500	$215,100
Median household income	$80,366	$66,702
Unemployment	5.3%	4.3%
Housing score	1	86
Jobs score	20	44
Safety score	47	70
Climate score	100	96
Amenities score	100	55
Population	3.9M	688.7K
Summer high / winter low	83° / 48°	94° / 29°

Los Angeles, CA vs Oklahoma City, OK