Head to head
Memphis, TN vs Tulsa, OK
Tulsa is cheaper — estimated essentials for a single person run about $180/mo less, and living comfortably there takes roughly $0 less in annual salary (taxes included).
It flips for a family. For two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child, Memphis is the cheaper of the two — rent scales to household size using each city's own bedroom spread, and childcare varies even more sharply between cities than rent does.
| Metric | Memphis53 | Tulsa61 |
|---|---|---|
| Est. monthly cost (single) | $3,783 | $3,603 |
| Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare) | $8,376 | $8,592 |
| Salary for comfort | $65,500/yr | $65,500/yr |
| Typical rent | $1,274 | $1,217 |
| Median home value | $157,100 | $189,600 |
| Median household income | $51,211 | $58,407 |
| Unemployment | 5.6% | 4.8% |
| Housing score | 65 | 78 |
| Jobs score | 14 | 26 |
| Safety score | 4 | 20 |
| Climate score | 100 | 98 |
| Amenities score | 47 | 53 |
| Population | 629.1K | 412.3K |
| Summer high / winter low | 92° / 33° | 93° / 28° |
Fit scores use the reference profile (single, $6,700/mo gross, default weights). Green marks the better value per row.
Memphis, TN
Tulsa, OK