Killeen vs Tulsa: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Killeen, Texas compare to Tulsa, Oklahoma? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Tulsa is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 1% higher in Killeen compared to Tulsa, while rent is 13% higher. TX has no state income tax.
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Tulsa, OK | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $175,400 | $174,200 | +0.7% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,084 | $958 | +13.2% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $57,086 | $56,648 | +0.8% |
| Per Capita Income | $28,002 | $36,490 | -23.3% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | None | 4.8% | -100.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.2% | 9.0% | -8.7% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 153,708 | 411,938 | -62.7% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Killeen
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Tulsa
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Killeen costs $175,400 compared to $174,200 in Tulsa — a 1% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,084/mo in Killeen vs $958/mo in Tulsa.
- Income: Median household income is $57,086 in Killeen and $56,648 in Tulsa.
- Taxes: Texas has no state income tax, while Oklahoma has a 4.75% rate.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).